Ripple CTO Claps Back at Litecoin Influencer in Viral XRP vs. LTC Debate

Ripple's chief technology officer just dropped the mic in a heated crypto clash that's setting social media ablaze.

The Digital Duel

David Schwartz didn't hold back when a prominent Litecoin advocate challenged XRP's utility and market position. The exchange turned into a masterclass in blockchain diplomacy—with just enough shade to keep crypto Twitter buzzing for days.

Schwartz countered every critique with technical precision, highlighting XRP's settlement speed and institutional adoption while acknowledging Litecoin's role as 'digital silver.' The debate exposed the tribal tensions that still plague crypto—tribalism that somehow persists while traditional finance keeps raking in billions from boring old ETFs.

This isn't just another crypto spat—it's a glimpse into the battle for payments supremacy. And honestly? Watching two proof-of-work chains argue about efficiency is like watching gas guzzlers debate fuel economy.

Crypto Twitter is buzzing after a sharp exchange between Ripple CTO David Schwartz and Litecoin influencer @jonnylitecoin reignited an old ‘rivalry’.

What started as a few tweets has now turned into a full-blown debate over proof-of-work, token creation, and which crypto has the stronger future.

Let’s dive in. 

XRP Is a “Psychological Operation”

The influencer kicked off the drama with a post questioning XRP’s value and real-world use.

“Quick recap of my experience working in payments of #XRP vs #Litecoin. I have never once seen a XRP transaction done in the real world. Where are the blockchain analytics?? My conclusion is that XRP is a psychological operation meant to distract you,” he wrote.

He followed it up with another jab that Litecoin’s value comes from its proof-of-work mining process, which requires real energy and resources, while XRP was created by Ripple without mining or staking – a point he used to question XRP’s legitimacy and long-term value.

Schwartz Defends XRP’s Sustainability

Schwartz fired back with a short but pointed reply.

“Two products are equivalent except that one takes much more energy to make than the other. Which one do you think is the most likely to grow in popularity over time?”

Two products are equivalent except that one takes much more energy to make than the other. Which one do you think is the most likely to grow in popularity over time?

His response reflected Ripple’s long-running argument that XRP is far more energy-efficient than proof-of-work tokens like Litecoin, a stance Ripple has pushed for years as it promotes XRP as a greener option for payments.

Litecoin’s Official Account Sparked the Feud

The drama traces back to a series of viral posts from the Litecoin Foundation’s official X account, which mocked XRP and its reputation as a bank-focused payments token. One post claimed XRP’s HYPE was built on “illusion” and even compared it to a comet’s “rotten egg” smell.

Remember when Litecoin was a top 5 coin.

Me neither. It was so long ago.

Remember when XRP was a top 3 coin. Me too. Like today. https://t.co/dZ4UDI764h

“I roast Solana: We laughed, we cried… I roast XRP: Diarrhetic vitriol for 2 full days, threats of legal action,” the account wrote, triggering community rage and calls for a defamation suit from Ripple. 

XRP vs. Litecoin: What Market Numbers Say

Behind the social media drama, the numbers show a wide gap. XRP has a fully diluted market cap of about $281 billion, with nearly $1.4 billion in institutional inflows this year. Litecoin’s market cap stands at $8.4 billion with $4.71 million in inflows. XRP also has multiple spot ETF filings, while Litecoin has only two.

Litecoin still holds its ground as “digital silver,” offering low fees and a loyal user base, but XRP’s regulatory clarity, cross-border payments network, and institutional support keep it firmly ahead.