Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse says Bitcoin is not the enemy

CEO of Ripple Labs, Brad Garlinghouse, surprised the entire XRP community and much of the wider crypto community when he said, “Bitcoin is not the enemy,” at the XRP Las Vegas 2025 conference.

Many people did not expect Garlinghouse to support Bitcoin and its community because he strongly criticized its flaws for years.

Because he changed his opinion, people are now questioning whether he is genuine or if his moves are just for political and industry support, especially now when cryptocurrency is under pressure from governments and traditional banks.

While some believe he wants to unify the crypto world to push back against tight regulations and a banking system that still controls most global finance, others worry that he might be giving in to Bitcoin maximalists.

Whatever the reason, Garlinghouse’s new message is bold, and it could reshape how people view Ripple and XRP in the larger crypto conversation.

Ripple and Bitcoin communities have long clashed

Ripple and Bitcoin supporters have disagreed on what makes a good cryptocurrency for over a decade.

The XRP community has long said Bitcoin still depends on proof-of-work mining that consumes large amounts of electricity and handles fewer transactions per second, while their token solves real-world problems by being faster, more scalable, and far more energy-efficient.

Garlinghouse described Bitcoin’s mining model as outdated and harmful to the environment, and he has repeatedly said XRP is better suited for building a real, usable financial system on the blockchain.

On the other hand, Bitcoin maximalists claim XRP is centralized, controlled by Ripple Labs, and serves banks instead of empowering individuals. They call the token a “banker coin” and say it goes against the original vision of crypto, which was meant to remove middlemen, not work with them.

Maxis also points to the long legal battle with the SEC as proof that XRP isn’t a trustworthy or decentralized cryptocurrency.

Ripple’s peace gift to Bitcoin supporters stirs mixed reactions

Brad Garlinghouse donated the Skull of Satoshi to the Bitcoin community days before the XRP Las Vegas 2025 conference began. 

Some people praised the move as a way of acknowledging past conflicts while signaling a new willingness to collaborate. At the same time, some Bitcoin maximalists saw it as a sign that Ripple and its supporters finally recognized Bitcoin’s dominance. Others said the peace offering showed that XRP needed Bitcoin more to succeed in cryptocurrency.

In one post, a user said, “Ripple tried to replace Bitcoin for 10 years. Now they’re offering us skulls like it’s ancient Rome.” Another viral tweet said, “When you lose the war, at least bring a gift.”

However, XRP loyalists had mixed reactions because some interpreted the move as a sign that Ripple was rising above petty arguments and positioning itself as a unifier in the industry. In contrast, others worried that the gesture made Ripple look weak.

Garlinghouse makes a risky but strategic move

Brad Garlinghouse’s new tone toward Bitcoin could be a carefully calculated strategy that allows him to build stronger alliances as the US government and financial regulators scrutinize digital assets. 

He may also want to prepare Ripple for upcoming discussions with financial institutions and governments that want to integrate blockchain technology on condition that they see signs of stability and professionalism.

However, critics argue that Garlinghouse might be extending a hand that won’t be accepted, making his gestures look like weakness instead of strength.

The biggest risk is within Ripple because the brand has always positioned XRP as an efficient, scalable, and low-cost alternative to Bitcoin, and its supporters stood proudly against what they saw as Bitcoin’s flaws.

Garlinghouse’s latest message muddies the line between rival and partner, and a growing number of XRP fans feel like the company is gradually retreating from the principles that made it unique, which muddles and frustrates its base.

Supporters who once believed XRP would overtake or replace Bitcoin may now wonder if the goal has changed and Ripple could lose its loyal following by trying to appeal to both sides.