XRP: Ripple CEO Calls for Unity with Bitcoin Community

XRP is at the center of a fresh effort to unify the broader crypto space, as Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse extended a public olive branch to Bitcoin supporters.

Ripple made headlines at the 2025 Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas by donating the once-controversial Skull of Satoshi to the Bitcoin community. Once used as a symbol of criticism against Bitcoin’s energy-intensive Proof-of-Work model, the artifact now takes on a new meaning — unity in crypto.

The news was officially confirmed by the Bitcoin Conference on X (formerly Twitter), which announced that the Skull of Satoshi will now be housed permanently at the Bitcoin Museum in Nashville. This symbolic gesture signifies a thaw in the often-tense relationship between Bitcoin and Ripple communities.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse weighed in on the move through a post on X, emphasizing that the donation serves as more than just a public relations act — it’s a recognition of Bitcoin’s resilience and its integral role in the crypto revolution.

Garlinghouse acknowledged that the Skull of Satoshi was originally created as a critique of Bitcoin’s energy consumption, which is a hot-button issue within the crypto world. However, he noted that today, the skull stands as “a tribute to Bitcoin’s incredible staying power,” highlighting his own appreciation for the coin’s influence.

He urged the entire crypto industry — including Bitcoin and XRP communities — to move past infighting and begin collaborating toward shared goals such as financial inclusion, regulatory clarity, and technological innovation. “It’s time for us to focus on what unites us rather than what divides us,” Garlinghouse stressed.

This appeal comes at a time when the tension between the two camps has started to cool, but historical animosity still lingers. For years, followers of both Bitcoin and Ripple have clashed online and at debates across the crypto ecosystem. These rivalries often escalated into personal attacks, creating deep fractures within the community.

Most notably, in January, the two camps found themselves at odds over a U.S. government initiative to create a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR). Pierre Rochard, Vice President of Research at Riot Platforms, accused Ripple and XRP of obstructing the program’s progress. He claimed that Ripple actively lobbied against not just SBR, but Bitcoin mining in general under the Biden administration.

Garlinghouse promptly disputed the allegations, offering a different perspective. According to him, Ripple isn’t anti-Bitcoin but rather supports a diversified crypto reserve system that includes multiple digital assets — not just one dominated by Bitcoin.

Despite such disputes, Garlinghouse’s message now signals a clear intent to turn a new page. The donation of the Skull of Satoshi symbolizes Ripple’s commitment to unity and progress across the blockchain space. It serves as a powerful reminder that, despite differing philosophies and technical mechanics, all crypto communities ultimately aim to shape a more inclusive, transparent, and decentralized financial future.

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

As mass adoption becomes a more tangible reality, Ripple’s leadership appears determined to shift the narrative away from tribalism. The XRP and Bitcoin communities — once seen as bitter rivals — might now find a path toward collaboration, driven by an ecosystem-wide commitment to innovation and collective prosperity.