“XRP Token and Ripple Are Not Related” – Hot Debate Sparks Within the Crypto Community

What to know

• XRP and Ripple are separate; Ripple’s duty is to shareholders, not to increase XRP’s price.
• XRP has no intrinsic value; its price depends on market demand, utility, and adoption.
• Debate highlights a divide: critics question Ripple’s impact on XRP holders, while supporters stress long-term value from real-world use.

A fresh debate has erupted within the crypto community after software engineer and XRP supporter Vincent Van Code argued that XRP and Ripple are fundamentally separate. In a widely discussed post, Van Code stated that the XRP token is not directly tied to Ripple’s corporate responsibilities, emphasizing that the company’s primary duty is to its shareholders, not XRP holders.

His comments came in response to criticism from crypto commentator DBCrypto, who claimed XRP holders are effectively “bag holders” for a company that prioritizes equity investors over token holders.

“Ripple’s Job Is Not to Raise XRP Price”

Van Code pushed back strongly against the criticism, arguing that Ripple’s leadership, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse, is obligated to focus on increasing shareholder value, as is the case with any traditional company.

He stressed that Ripple is not responsible for driving the price of XRP, noting that expectations linking the company’s performance directly to the token’s value are misplaced. Instead, he explained that XRP’s price movement should be viewed through the lens of basic market dynamics, where value is determined by real demand and utility rather than corporate intervention.

Also Read: Bitcoin Holds Strong While Altcoins Crash as Hidden Gems Explode Higher

XRP token, and Ripple ARE NOT RELATED, they are not the same, and Ripple’s job is NOT TO MAKE the value of XRP go UP.

All tokens on blockchains (other than fiat pegged stablecoins that are complaint and regulated) have ZERO intrinsic value. Of course they do. In fact, all fiat…

— Vincent Van Code (@vincent_vancode) March 17, 2026

The “No Intrinsic Value” Argument

In his remarks, Van Code also addressed the broader concept of intrinsic value in financial assets. He argued that most blockchain tokens, including XRP, do not possess intrinsic value in the traditional sense, comparing them to fiat currencies, which also lack inherent value.

He contrasted this with commodities such as food, water, and energy, as well as company shares, which are often considered to have tangible or claim-based value. According to his view, XRP’s worth is derived not from inherent properties but from its utility and adoption within financial systems.

Legal Context Adds Fuel to the Debate

Van Code further cited the already concluded legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as supporting his argument. He noted that the case reinforced the distinction between XRP holders and shareholders, highlighting that owning XRP does not equate to holding equity or securities in Ripple.

This distinction has been central to regulatory discussions surrounding XRP and continues to influence how the asset is perceived within legal and financial frameworks.

Ongoing Divide in the XRP Community

The exchange reflects a broader divide within the XRP community and the wider crypto market. Critics argue that Ripple’s actions, such as selling XRP, primarily benefit the company, while supporters maintain that the token’s long-term value will emerge organically through adoption and real-world use.

As debates over utility, ownership, and value continue, the discussion underscores a key tension in crypto markets: the difference between holding a digital asset and having a stake in the company building around it.

Also Read: SEC Veteran Clarifies XRP Retail Trading Status as Ripple Case Legacy Lingers

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