The crypto community has found itself in another heated debate after blockchain investigator ZachXBT dismissed Ripple and its supporters in sharp terms.
In a recent post on X, he argued that Ripple holders contribute “nothing of value to the industry except exit liquidity for insiders,” grouping XRP with Cardano, Pulsechain, and Hedera as projects “not worth supporting.”
ZachXBT’s Criticism of XRP
The remarks came in response to an X user, Ducky-Royal, who asked about an “XRP Ledger Forensics group” that could help trace and freeze stolen funds. Zach’s reply was straightforward: filing an IC3 report and tracing funds through exchanges was the only realistic option.
He added that “the Ripple foundation is cheap and no longer funds public goods” that educate or protect its community, contrasting Ripple with other blockchain projects that continue to finance such initiatives. In his view, the absence of institutional safeguards adds unnecessary risk for XRP holders and makes the token less defensible as an investment.
Allegations of a Personal Grudge
Not everyone agreed that Zach’s position was entirely based on industry analysis. Ripple Van Winkle, a researcher active on X, claimed Zach’s hostility toward Ripple stems from a personal rejection.
According to his account, ZachXBT once approached Ripple with a proposal to work as an on-chain investigator, promising to “clean house” by tracking stolen funds, uncovering exploits, and strengthening Ripple’s public image.
Ripple executives, however, were reportedly unmoved. Confident in their existing compliance teams, private investigators, and regulatory ties, they reportedly concluded that hiring a high-profile X investigator could create more publicity than practical benefit. The proposal was ultimately declined.
XRP Caught in the Crossfire
XRP slipped 3.7% in the past day to trade at $2.88, reflecting the split reaction in the market. Some traders see Zach’s comments as a fair warning about XRP’s problems, while others dismiss them as sour grapes over his history with Ripple.
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