XRP Holdings Possibly Linked to Satoshi: Ripple CTO Hints

XRP may be more closely tied to Bitcoin’s mysterious founder than previously believed, according to a recent and surprising disclosure from Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz. His remarks have added fuel to one of the crypto world’s longest-running mysteries: the true identity—and digital assets—of Satoshi Nakamoto.

The revelation stems from transcripts that recently surfaced from a 2023 court case between the SEC and Ripple. In a tweet posted by the X user @XrpHodL_, screenshots show that during court proceedings, Schwartz made a statement suggesting that Satoshi could have possessed a significant amount of XRP. This came in response to a question about whether Bitcoin has any built-in mechanisms similar to Ripple’s payment infrastructure.

Schwartz’s exact words included a curious note: “Toshi, the original creator, probably held an enormous amount of XRP at that time.” While the phrase didn’t directly answer the court’s inquiry, it opened the conversation to deeper speculation around who might’ve been involved with XRP in its early days.

The assertion that Satoshi may own XRP is particularly intriguing considering the longstanding belief that his crypto wealth was mainly locked in Bitcoin. If this claim holds any weight, it could suggest that the Bitcoin pioneer also recognized the innovative potential of Ripple’s ecosystem early on, perhaps even participating in it before it gained traction.

The year referenced by Schwartz—2017—adds a layer of ambiguity. By then, XRP had already made significant waves in the cryptocurrency landscape, and for someone like Satoshi, with insights into early blockchain dynamics, such a time frame might indicate later activity or belated recognition rather than foundational involvement.

This unexpected claim has not gone unnoticed within the crypto community. Shortly after the initial tweet, another user, @haydentiff (Tiffany Hayden), pointed out how strange it was that nobody picked up on Schwartz’s comment. She even went so far as to cheekily suggest he might be Satoshi himself, stating, “I just wanted everyone to know that you’re definitely Satoshi.”

Speculation about David Schwartz as the potential real Satoshi isn’t entirely new. Alongside other notable figures like Blockstream’s CEO Adam Back and the late Hal Finney, Schwartz has often been mentioned in hypothetical discussions. However, he has consistently denied any role in Bitcoin’s creation. That said, Schwartz has openly acknowledged contributing to the Bitcoin codebase during its early years, placing him in the vicinity of foundational development, albeit unofficially.

With Ripple and XRP continuing to drive innovation in cross-border payments, the idea that Satoshi may have held—or still holds—a position in XRP adds an intellectual layer to the ledger’s layered history. If the creator of Bitcoin recognized value in XRP, it could be seen as an endorsement of Ripple’s approach to blockchain scalability and financial use cases.

This latest twist comes at a time when the crypto market is seeking clarity on several regulatory and foundational issues. As the XRP Ledger expands and Ripple continues to secure new partnerships, these types of historical insights may color public perception and stir further interest in Ripple-related developments.

Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused

Whether Schwartz’s claim was meant as a playful speculation or a subtle confirmation remains unclear. But what is certain is that the connection between XRP and foundational figures from Bitcoin’s past continues to captivate minds in the blockchain community.