Simon Dixon of Bnk To The Future has stirred debate by labeling Ripple and XRP as a “psyop” within the crypto space. His comments touch upon long-standing divisions between Bitcoin proponents and those supporting alternative crypto assets.
What to Know:
- Simon Dixon of Bnk To The Future has stirred debate by labeling Ripple and XRP as a “psyop” within the crypto space.
- His comments touch upon long-standing divisions between Bitcoin proponents and those supporting alternative crypto assets.
- The remarks are a reminder of the ideological and technical debates that continue to shape institutional perceptions of XRP and its role in the broader digital asset landscape.
A recent podcast featuring Bitcoin advocate Simon Dixon, founder of Bnk To The Future, has reignited the long-standing debate over XRP’s place in the crypto ecosystem. Dixon went as far as to describe Ripple and XRP as part of a “psyop” designed to distract from Bitcoin’s original mission. His comments have sparked considerable discussion, highlighting the deep-seated ideological divisions that persist within the digital asset community. For institutional investors, these debates underscore the importance of understanding the diverse perspectives and narratives surrounding different crypto assets.
Linking XRP to “Ops” Narrative
Dixon’s argument extends beyond XRP, encompassing several historical crypto events that he views as potential “operations” aimed at fragmenting the ecosystem. He cited the collapse of Mt. Gox, as well as the Bitcoin block size wars and subsequent forks like Bitcoin Cash and Bitcoin SV, as examples of how communities have splintered over time. These events, according to Dixon, represent “divide and conquer” tactics that weakened Bitcoin’s position, despite its eventual recovery and growth.
He speculated that figures such as Brock Pierce may have played roles in events that contributed to division. He also mentioned possible links involving Jeffrey Epstein, a controversial American financier.
Dixon described these episodes as “divide and conquer” tactics. He argued that breaking Bitcoin into competing factions weakened the movement, even though Bitcoin later recovered and grew stronger.
According to @SimonDixonTwitt @ripple and XRP were a Psyop. Maybe it’s just a better Bitcoin? pic.twitter.com/yqHYenAFsa
XRP Supporters Push Back
XRP advocates have strongly refuted Dixon’s claims, pointing to the XRP Ledger’s technical capabilities and real-world applications. Supporters highlight its three-second settlement times, low fees, and growing adoption by financial institutions. These features, they argue, demonstrate XRP’s utility as a payment infrastructure, regardless of any perceived ideological conflicts.
Notably, this latest conversations build on an earlier technical debate involving XRP and Bitcoin. Specifically, on February 3, Marshall Hayner, an early Bitcoin developer, tweeted that Bitcoin still has not delivered a fully decentralized and scalable system that matches its original vision.
Former Ripple director Matt Hamilton responded that Bitcoin’s scaling issues were addressed years ago with the creation of the XRP Ledger. He claimed early Bitcoin developers built XRPL specifically to fix problems related to speed, fees, and transaction capacity.
Historically, Jed McCaleb, one of Bitcoin’s early developers and founder of Mt. Gox, co-created the XRP Ledger in 2011 with David Schwartz and Arthur Britto. McCaleb later co-founded Ripple before leaving to start Stellar. Supporters argue this history shows XRPL grew directly out of Bitcoin’s early technical challenges.
The Enduring Bitcoin and XRP Rivalry
The dynamic between Bitcoin and XRP is one of crypto’s most enduring rivalries. While some Bitcoin maximalists maintain that XRP undermines the principles of decentralization, others are increasingly recognizing that the two assets may serve distinct purposes. Bitcoin is often viewed as a store of value, while XRP is positioned as a payment infrastructure. This divergence in perceived utility has contributed to the ongoing debate about their respective roles in the digital asset space.
Dixon’s comments highlight how ideological divides continue to shape crypto discourse. Yet despite years of conflict, Bitcoin and XRP have grown into multi-billion-dollar ecosystems with institutional backing and global adoption.
Implications for Institutional Investors
For institutional investors, the debate surrounding XRP underscores the importance of conducting thorough due diligence and understanding the various narratives that shape market sentiment. While Dixon’s “psyop” characterization may be seen as extreme, it reflects a skepticism that exists among some segments of the crypto community. Institutional players must weigh these perspectives against XRP’s technical capabilities, adoption rates, and regulatory landscape to form their own informed investment decisions.
Ultimately, whether XRP is a distraction, a complement, or a direct competitor to Bitcoin remains a matter of perspective.
In the end, the value proposition of any digital asset lies in its ability to solve real-world problems and attract sustained adoption. While ideological debates may influence short-term market movements, long-term success will depend on factors such as technological innovation, regulatory clarity, and institutional integration.
Related: XRP Selling Signals Negative Crypto Funding
Source: Original article
Quick Summary
Simon Dixon of Bnk To The Future has stirred debate by labeling Ripple and XRP as a “psyop” within the crypto space. His comments touch upon long-standing divisions between Bitcoin proponents and those supporting alternative crypto assets.
Source
Information sourced from official Ripple publications, institutional research, regulatory documentation and reputable crypto news outlets.
Author
Ripple Van Winkle is a cryptocurrency analyst and founder of XRP Right Now. He has been active in the crypto space for over 8 years and has generated more than 25 million views across YouTube covering XRP daily.
Editorial Note
Opinions are the author's alone and for informational purposes only. This publication does not provide investment advice.



