2% Of All XRP Is In His Hands — But Who Is He?

A long‑time figure in the world of digital money and a noted XRP advocate stepped out of the shadows this week, sparking fresh chatter among investors and developers alike.

Arthur Britto, who co‑founded Ripple Labs in 2012, broke a 14‑year silence with a single emoji on X. That tiny message carried big weight. His name rarely surfaces in headlines, but his work helped build XRP into one of the top assets by market value.

Impact Of A Secretive Founder

According to reports, Britto kept a low profile while helping craft the XRP Ledger’s code. He holds a 2% stake in XRP under a deal made when the company launched.

That slice of holdings could be worth billions if the token’s price ever climbed high enough. Some in the market worry that if Britto ever sold even part of that stake, it might send prices tumbling.

HE CO-CREATED THE XRP LEDGER. HE HOLDS 2% OF ALL XRP. HE’S NEVER BEEN SEEN IN PUBLIC.

Arthur Britto might be the most important figure in crypto you’ve never heard of.

Let’s dive into the mystery. pic.twitter.com/xKyiYXIpGY

— All Things XRP (@XRP_investing) July 5, 2025

The Satoshi Connection

Based on reports, comparisons to Bitcoin’s creator have swirled around Britto for years. Some fans point to the fact that Satoshi Nakamoto’s last known post came just as the XRP Ledger went live.

That timing alone has led people to whisper that Britto could be Satoshi under a different name. No proof supports that idea. Experts say it’s more likely just a coincidence.

Britto’s lone emoji on X was verified by Ripple CTO David Schwartz. That confirmation set off a wave of theories about what might come next.

Some speculated a new protocol update. Others thought it hinted at a partnership or a fresh product launch. So far, nothing public has followed the post.

While he stayed away from interviews, Britto never stopped working. He co‑founded PolySign, a crypto custody firm that now operates under Ripple Custody.

That arm provides secure storage for institutions holding digital coins. Based on filings, PolySign handled an estimated $1.5 billion in assets last year.

Its integration into Ripple’s services shows Britto’s influence lives on, even if his name doesn’t show up on conference schedules.

With XRP trading near its recent range, some investors say they’re watching for any hint of action from Britto’s wallet.

Price targets in the community sometimes stretch to $10,000 per XRP. Those figures come without verification, and many traders treat them as wishful thinking. Still, a lot can happen if even a fraction of Britto’s holdings moves.

Featured image from Meta, chart from TradingView