Ripple CTO Yanks Mysterious Post as Circle Speculation Swirls—Just Crypto Theater?

David Schwartz pulls the plug on a cryptic social media post amid rumors of Ripple-Circle talks. Coincidence—or calculated silence?

The crypto sphere thrives on breadcrumbs, and today's crumbs lead to a deleted tweet. Ripple's CTO nuked a vague message just as chatter about a potential Circle partnership hit fever pitch. Timing? Suspiciously poetic.

Meanwhile, traders cling to hopium—because nothing says 'healthy market' like reading tea leaves from a deleted post. Stay tuned for the next episode of 'As the Blockchain Turns.'

TLDR

• Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed that the company never pursued an acquisition of Circle.
• Ripple CTO David Schwartz explained that his comment about a $6 billion offer was intended as a joke.
• Schwartz deleted his post because he feared the joke could be misinterpreted as a real offer.
• Garlinghouse emphasized that Circle does not align with Ripple’s current business priorities.
• Circle officially stated that the company is not for sale despite market speculation.

Ripple executives have publicly dismissed claims of an acquisition attempt involving Circle. CEO Brad Garlinghouse and CTO David Schwartz clarified that no such deal was ever pursued. The clarification ends speculation that began circulating in early May regarding a potential $5 billion offer.

Ripple maintained that acquiring Circle was never part of its strategy. Both leaders affirmed this during the Bitcoin Conference in Las Vegas. The clarification follows weeks of online discussion and community speculation about stablecoin market developments.

Garlinghouse emphasized that Ripple is focused on expanding its current projects rather than engaging in external acquisitions. Schwartz, meanwhile, addressed confusion caused by one of his earlier posts. His explanation provided additional clarity on Ripple’s position regarding Circle.

Ripple CEO Confirms No Deal Was Ever Pursued

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse made it clear the company never considered acquiring Circle at any valuation. During the Las Vegas event, he addressed the circulating rumors with firm denial. He stated Ripple had no ongoing negotiations or discussions about Circle.

Chris Brummer, a Georgetown Law professor, supported Garlinghouse’s statements in a post-event commentary. Brummer confirmed that Garlinghouse ruled out any past or current acquisition intentions. While questions remained, Garlinghouse’s message suggested Ripple had never engaged with Circle on such terms.

The CEO also noted that Ripple had no plans aligned with acquiring a stablecoin firm at this time. Despite market speculation, he pointed out that Circle does not align with Ripple’s strategic direction. The event highlighted Ripple’s emphasis on organic growth and existing priorities.

Ripple CTO Clarifies Deleted Post Was a Joke

David Schwartz, Ripple’s CTO, addressed the confusion sparked by his earlier social media comment regarding Circle. He explained that the post suggesting a $6 billion offer was a joke. He later deleted it to avoid any misunderstanding within the crypto community.

That was a joke. Someone posted that Ripple had offered $5 billion and Circle rejected it and I replied something like "Okay, six, but that's our final offer". I meant it as a joke but deleted it because I was afraid some might take it seriously.

— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) June 4, 2025

Schwartz clarified that someone had jokingly mentioned a $5 billion offer, prompting his sarcastic reply. His response was not intended as confirmation of any offer or discussion. However, many users misinterpreted the remark, prompting widespread speculation.

By issuing a direct clarification, Schwartz removed doubts regarding Ripple’s intentions toward Circle. His comment was taken out of context and gained traction unexpectedly. Ripple’s leadership has now aligned in presenting a unified stance on the issue.

Circle Reiterates It Is Not for Sale

Amid rumors involving both Ripple and Coinbase, Circle publicly confirmed that it is not exploring a sale. The company responded firmly, ending suggestions that it had rejected any acquisition offer. This included reported figures of $5 billion and $20 billion.

Although Circle’s market position continues to draw attention, it remains committed to its current trajectory. The stablecoin firm emphasized that speculation does not reflect its internal strategy or future direction. Circle’s public stance aligns with its recent operational developments.

Chamath Palihapitiya recently commented that Circle remains undervalued even at $12–13 billion. His opinion sparked additional discussions but did not change the facts. Both Ripple and Circle have now provided clear responses, ending current acquisition rumors.