XRP Surges 8% as Ripple Co-Founder Breaks 14-Year Silence with Cryptic Emoji

In a surprising turn of events, Arthur Britto, the reclusive co-founder of Ripple Labs and key architect of the XRP Ledger, broke his 14-year public silence with a single cryptic emoji post on X. The ‘face without mouth’ symbol, which was later confirmed as authentic by Ripple CTO David Schwartz, sent shockwaves through the crypto community, triggering an immediate 8% surge in XRP’s value within hours. This dramatic market reaction underscores Britto’s enduring influence in the cryptocurrency space, despite his long absence from the public eye. The post, which has sparked widespread speculation, highlights the powerful impact of key figures in the crypto industry and their ability to move markets with even the slightest gestures. As of June 25, 2025, the XRP community remains abuzz with theories about the meaning behind Britto’s enigmatic message and what it could signal for the future of Ripple and the XRP ecosystem. This event serves as a reminder of the crypto market’s sensitivity to developer activity and the lasting significance of blockchain pioneers in shaping market sentiment.

Ripple Co-Founder Breaks 14-Year Silence with Cryptic Emoji, Sparking XRP Rally

Arthur Britto, the enigmatic co-founder of Ripple Labs and architect of the XRP Ledger, shattered a 14-year public silence with a single emoji post on X. The ‘face without mouth’ symbol triggered an 8% surge in XRP’s value within hours, underscoring Britto’s enduring influence despite his reclusive reputation.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz confirmed the authenticity of the post, dismissing speculation of a compromised account. Britto’s last known public action was a 2015 lawsuit against fellow XRPL co-creator Jed McCaleb, alleging code theft during Stellar’s launch—a case settled privately.

The market reaction highlights crypto’s sensitivity to founder narratives, particularly around figures like Britto who helped pioneer enterprise blockchain solutions. XRP’s price action suggests traders still attribute signaling value to the original architects of the seventh-largest cryptocurrency.

3iQ’s XRP ETF Hits $17M AUM in 72 Hours, Signals Rising Institutional Demand

3iQ’s newly launched XRP ETF (XRPQ) amassed CAD 23 million ($16.7 million) in assets under management within just 72 hours, signaling rising institutional interest in the cryptocurrency. The fund, which began trading on June 18 on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), has quickly outpaced competitors to become the largest XRP-focused ETF in the country.

Backed by Ripple and secured with cold wallet custody, XRPQ attracted strong early institutional interest. The fund’s rapid success highlights growing demand for altcoin ETFs, outperforming Purpose Investments’ XRPP, which launched on the same day but has attracted only CAD 10.7 million ($7.8 million) in AUM so far.

XRPQ entered the market with momentum, supported by a six-month 0% management fee and direct investment from Ripple itself. By June 20, XRPQ closed at CAD 13.36 ($9.71), significantly higher than XRPP’s CAD 9.66 ($7.02).

Palau Completes Audit of XRP Ledger Stablecoin Pilot Funded by Ripple

Palau's Office of the Public Auditor has concluded its performance audit of the government's XRP Ledger-based stablecoin pilot, revealing Ripple Services Inc. provided a $25,000 grant for the 25-month experiment. Only $14,035 was spent, primarily reimbursing three local merchants for redeemed Palau Stablecoin (PSC) tokens used by 154 government volunteers.

The remaining $10,965 sits in the National Treasury as officials consider a potential second phase. The audit confirms Ripple's payment followed proper budgetary channels, dispelling earlier speculation about irregular funding flows. Senator Mark Rudimch's committee had requested the review amid questions about the project's financial transparency.

Palau's Stablecoin Pilot on XRP Ledger Faces Audit Scrutiny

The Republic of Palau has initiated an audit of its USD-pegged stablecoin pilot, conducted in partnership with Ripple on the XRP Ledger. The program aimed to enhance financial inclusion and reduce transaction costs but encountered procedural lapses during implementation.

Government records reveal the Ministry of Finance bypassed mandatory approvals from both the Attorney General and Budget Director. While auditors found no evidence of fund misuse, the oversight raises questions about governance protocols for blockchain initiatives.

Ripple provided $25,000 in funding for the test phase, with over half allocated to vendor payments. The pilot involved three retailers and 154 government volunteers, demonstrating real-world utility despite regulatory shortcomings.