- Ripple CTO David Schwartz dismisses supply cap comparisons between Bitcoin and XRP.
- Debate arises over whether Bitcoin’s market dominance is tied to scarcity or perception.
- XRPL’s role in faster Bitcoin transactions sparks discussion on interoperability.
Ripple CTO David Schwartz has pushed back against claims that Bitcoin’s lower supply makes it inherently scarcer or more valuable than XRP.
The debate broke out on X after a discussion comparing Bitcoin’s 21 million supply cap to XRP’s 100 billion. Schwartz dismissed the comparison as flawed, saying that total supply alone does not determine scarcity or value.
The debate began when a user argued that XRP’s larger supply means there is “enough for everyone,” whereas Bitcoin’s lower cap makes it more exclusive.
Schwartz pushed back, stating that comparing full units without considering their respective market caps is misleading.
He likened the comparison to measuring inches against miles, emphasizing that scarcity should be evaluated in dollar terms, not raw supply figures.
Related: Crypto Lawyer Bill Morgan Downplays Bitcoin Maxi vs. XRP Army Spat
Marketing Tactics Fuel Bitcoin vs XRP Divide
The debate extended beyond supply comparisons to cryptocurrency marketing strategies. One user pointed out that Ripple executives, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse, do not explicitly tell people to buy XRP, unlike Bitcoin advocate Michael Saylor, who actively promotes BTC.
This led to speculation that a cryptocurrency requiring promotion might have underlying issues. Others countered that Ripple has been marketing XRP indirectly through its partnerships with financial institutions.
Meanwhile, a Bitcoin proponent remarked that there isn’t enough BTC for everyone. As a result, “There is no harm in pointing people in the right direction. XRP and Bitcoin are not equal.”
Schwartz: Supply Talk “Confusing” Crypto Space
Schwartz maintained that misleading supply comparisons create confusion in the crypto space. He also questioned whether Bitcoin’s continued dominance is due to technological superiority or simply its first-mover advantage.
XRPL’s Role in Bitcoin Transactions
The debate expanded to XRP Ledger’s use case as a faster and cheaper way “to move Bitcoin.” A user highlighted that if XRPL successfully facilitates Bitcoin transactions, it could impact XRP’s value.
Related: XRPL and Hooks Debate: David Schwartz Explains Ripple’s Stance
Schwartz agreed but noted that such solutions require custodians, making truly decentralized, trustless bridges a critical need in the industry. Flare Network co-founder Hugo Philion joined the discussion, hinting that Flare’s upcoming developments could benefit both XRPL and broader interoperability efforts.
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