Can Ripple Replace Banks Worldwide?

XRP has once again become a lightning rod for debate in the crypto community, this time sparked by a viral post from Riccardo Spagni, the former lead developer of Monero. Spagni revealed that a close friend, long skeptical of crypto, suddenly wanted to buy XRP, convinced that banks will be gone in less than two years. The bold claim has reignited old tensions between XRP supporters and critics, fueling what many are calling a new “crypto culture war.”

Ripple’s NLP-Driven Narrative Boosts XRP Momentum

The timing of Spagni’s revelation is notable. Ripple has been riding a wave of favorable developments, especially after the SEC dropped its long-running lawsuit against the company. President Donald Trump also surprised markets when he named XRP as a potential part of the U.S. digital asset stockpile. 

These milestones, combined with Ripple’s push to position XRP as a global bridge currency, have boosted investor confidence. The token’s price tells the story, soaring from under $1 in late 2024 to over $3.60 by mid-2025, before settling lower but still standing among the year’s top performers.

While Spagni’s post generated excitement among XRP holders, it also brought harsh criticism. Some users mocked the idea that XRP could replace banks, calling it unrealistic and poorly understood. One critic dismissed the notion entirely, arguing that giving such power to a private company like Ripple creates a “single point of failure,” something contrary to blockchain’s open and decentralized principles.

On the flip side, On-chain analyst Ali Martinez sounded the alarm on XRP, noting that the token has just slipped below its $3 support. The on-chain analyst warned that this breakdown could open the door for deeper losses, with XRP potentially retracing to $2.60 or even as low as $2 if bearish pressure continues.

Still, many analysts and pro-XRP voices on X continue to forecast higher prices, with some eyeing $4 by year-end. For many new investors, including Spagni’s friend, the optimism surrounding XRP’s potential has overshadowed these warnings.

Ripple’s Marketing Strategy Keeps XRP in the Spotlight

Even XRP’s harshest detractors concede that Ripple’s marketing strategy is powerful. Social media engagement around XRP remains among the highest in crypto, consistently drawing newcomers into the ecosystem. Critics argue, however, that this popularity is fueled by what they call “misinformation campaigns” about banks collapsing or XRP’s role as a true bridge currency. 

One user, Fish Catfish, went so far as to accuse Ripple of funding narratives that inflate its market value, questioning why investigative journalists have not probed deeper into the issue.

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