Mike Novogratz Declares: The XRP Army Rivals Bitcoin’s Most Zealous Believers—Here’s Why

Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz just dropped a bombshell—the XRP community’s fervor now matches Bitcoin’s most hardcore hodlers. And the crypto world is buzzing.

Why the comparison? Novogratz points to the relentless advocacy, meme-fueled loyalty, and borderline religious devotion both camps share. Forget 'quiet accumulation'—these tribes thrive on loud, public conviction.

But here’s the twist: while Bitcoiners preach scarcity as dogma, XRP fans tout utility like it’s the second coming of Visa. Both sides ignore their own contradictions—because in crypto, faith often trumps fundamentals.

One cynical take? Tribalism sells. Whether it’s laser-eyed BTC maxis or XRP’s 'WAGMI' brigade, passion drives prices—and Novogratz knows a marketing goldmine when he sees one.

TLDR

• Mike Novogratz praised the XRP army and compared their loyalty to Bitcoin supporters.
• He said the XRP army is one of the most passionate communities in the crypto industry.
• Ripple never held an ICO and XRP existed before Ripple became a company.
• Novogratz stated that crypto communities thrive on shared beliefs and strong identity.
• He admitted he was wrong about XRP’s staying power after years of skepticism.

Mike Novogratz has again praised the XRP army, saying their loyalty rivals Bitcoin supporters. He described them as one of the most committed groups in the crypto industry. His remarks came during an interview with Coin Stories host Natalie Brunnell.

XRP Army Loyalty and Resilience

Novogratz questioned Brunnell on why XRP has endured for so long despite regulatory challenges. Brunnell attributed it to strong marketing and significant funding, though she incorrectly mentioned an initial coin offering. Ripple never held an ICO, as XRP existed before Ripple was founded.

Stories and lessons from a decade in crypto with Mike @Novogratz.

We talk about $GLXY, the 80,000 bitcoin transaction, whether Mike has any investing regrets, maxis and altcoin communities, Bitcoin's roadmap to $1 million and much more.

Timecodes:
00:00 Meet Mike Novogratz:… pic.twitter.com/4HrOi1juE5

— Natalie Brunell ⚡️ (@natbrunell) August 12, 2025

Ripple funds operations by periodically selling part of the XRP it received as a gift early in its history. Novogratz stated the XRP army shows the same dedication to XRP as Bitcoiners do to Bitcoin. He emphasized that such loyalty plays a crucial role in token survival.

He said the crypto industry is “deeply tribal” and thrives on shared beliefs and identity. Using himself as an example, he mentioned having tattoos of both Bitcoin and Terra Luna. He highlighted how communities FORM strong emotional connections to their chosen cryptocurrencies.

Community Strength Across Crypto

Novogratz admitted he once thought Bitcoin was unique as digital Gold while others needed utility to survive. Over time, he concluded that trust breakdowns since the 2008 financial crisis drive crypto adoption. He pointed to the XRP army as proof that community passion sustains projects.

He also referenced Cardano’s $8 billion market cap, noting that criticism toward it meets strong pushback from its supporters. He credited Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse for fostering a loyal following, though Garlinghouse said the XRP army’s origins are unclear. Novogratz also praised attorney John Deaton for defending XRP holders during the SEC lawsuit.

Deaton, with no early ties to Ripple, fought consistently for holders in court and on social media. Novogratz said such dedication strengthens the XRP army’s influence. He compared them to fanbases of companies like Tesla and Palantir, which show similar loyalty.

Shifting Views and Enduring Relevance

Novogratz acknowledged that not every cryptocurrency will last as long as Bitcoin. However, he admitted being wrong about XRP’s staying power. He said the XRP army’s persistence has kept the token among the market’s top performers.

Earlier this year, XRP’s surge after Donald Trump’s election win led him to reaffirm his changed stance. He credited the XRP army with sustaining XRP for over a decade. Supporters, from various professions, invest their money into something they believe in.