XRP has once again taken center stage in the crypto world, with discussions emerging about its alignment with the original vision of Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
XRP has once again taken center stage in the crypto world, with discussions emerging about its alignment with the original vision of Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Media commentator John Squire sparked new debate by suggesting that XRP might be the digital asset most closely reflecting Nakamoto’s foundational goals.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Squire claimed that XRP encapsulates the ideals of decentralization, scalability, and functional real-world application — three pillars that were central to Bitcoin’s whitepaper. This assertion has stirred excitement especially among long-time XRP backers who see the token as a better implementation of what Bitcoin originally aimed to become: a peer-to-peer digital cash system built for global use.
While Bitcoin promised fast and decentralized digital payments, the network currently struggles with slow transaction times and relatively high fees. Critics argue that these drawbacks, along with growing concerns over mining centralization, have gradually veered Bitcoin away from its democratic origins. XRP advocates feel their preferred cryptocurrency addresses these limitations directly, offering rapid transaction finality in just 3–5 seconds and less than $0.01 in transaction costs. Squire’s post amplified that sentiment.
XRP’s Roots and Speculative Theories
Adding further intrigue, respected XRP influencer Alex Cobb built upon Squire’s remarks by revisiting a well-known quote from Satoshi Nakamoto, dated April 2011, which stated that the Bitcoin founder had “moved on to other things.” Just over a year later, XRP was officially released in June 2012, a timeline that some XRP community members interpret as more than coincidence. They speculate, albeit without direct proof, that Satoshi may have been involved in the development of XRP — or at least influenced its design philosophy.
This theory often cites the fact that some of XRP’s initial architects were early contributors to Bitcoin as well. These early engineers sought to resolve Bitcoin’s fundamental limitations by creating a new asset that could scale more efficiently without the burdens of energy-intensive mining.
A Modern Analogy Comparing Crypto Networks
John Squire didn’t stop with crypto-technical comparisons. He used an analogy likening Bitcoin to a landline phone — stable, but outdated. Ethereum, he said, is akin to a cell phone — an upgrade, but still hampered by latency and capacity. Meanwhile, Squire likened XRP to Starlink — agile, modern, and globally accessible with almost no communication lag. For Squire, XRP exemplifies the future agility and simplicity envisioned in Satoshi’s design, and possibly even surpasses it in execution.
This characterization resonates with XRP’s features: an environmentally efficient consensus algorithm, lightning-fast transactions, and institutional-ready versatility. These traits place XRP in favorable contrast to the ten-minute transaction cycles of Bitcoin or the fluctuating fee environment of Ethereum — a comparison useful to investors and developers alike.
Ripple Leaders Feed Speculation
Further fueling the theory of XRP’s link to Satoshi, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse made a noteworthy statement during a podcast. He pointed out that several of the developers working on the XRP Ledger, including Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz, were also active in Bitcoin’s early developmental stages. Their aim was to tackle issues like scalability and the network’s growing energy burden — priorities deeply aligned with Nakamoto’s original intent.
Speculation intensified after Schwartz once posted about receiving a version of Bitcoin’s source code prior to its public release, coinciding suspiciously with his birthday — which some believe lines up with the birthdate Nakamoto listed in his online profiles. Though Schwartz jokingly dismissed the idea that he could be Satoshi — saying it was still more believable than Craig Wright’s claims — the coincidence continues to stir chatter within the XRP community.
Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused
Outside the XRP circles, many in the wider crypto space are skeptical of any direct involvement by Nakamoto in XRP’s creation. Regardless, the draw for XRP holders remains: a belief that the token could indeed be a modern evolution of Satoshi’s philosophy—faster, greener, and more useful for the generations to come.
Quick Summary
XRP has once again taken center stage in the crypto world, with discussions emerging about its alignment with the original vision of Bitcoin’s elusive creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Media commentator John Squire sparked new debate by suggesting that XRP might be the digital asset most closely reflecting Nakamoto’s foundational goals.
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.

