ETH vs. XRP: Market, Not Tribalism, Will Decide, Says Deaton

Market to Decide ETH vs. XRP, Says John Deaton

Crypto lawyer John Deaton has addressed the ongoing debate within the crypto community, particularly among Ethereum (ETH) and XRP holders. Instead of fueling the fire, Deaton suggests the market will ultimately determine the success of each.

Deaton on Crypto Community Dynamics

In a recent post on X, Deaton acknowledged the strong divisions within the crypto space. He noted the intense disagreements between those who dislike ETH and those who oppose XRP and Ripple.

However, Deaton offered an optimistic perspective: "The good news is that government insiders aren’t the ones picking winners from losers and that the market will do that." This comment followed his earlier statement that ETH stood to benefit from the passage of the GENIUS Act.

The GENIUS Act and Stablecoins

Deaton had previously suggested that Circle (USDC) and Ripple (RLUSD) would be clear beneficiaries of the GENIUS Act, which aims to regulate stablecoins. He added that Ethereum is also positioned as a winner, highlighting its significant role in trading volume for Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, even surpassing the XRP Ledger.

Criticism from the XRP community following this statement prompted Deaton's subsequent comment about the market's decisive role.

The Battle for Market Cap Dominance

The discussion around tribalism occurs as both ETH and XRP compete for market capitalization dominance behind Bitcoin. Currently, Ethereum's market cap stands at $443 billion, while XRP's is at $180 billion.

Community Reactions

Tony Edward, from Thinking Crypto Podcast, observed that the “tribalism is heating up” as XRP gains liquidity, causing reactions from Bitcoin and Ethereum proponents.

As stated recently, the tribalism is heating up. Everyone trying to grab retail liquidity. $XRP is grabbing a lot of liquidity and many BTC & ETH maxis are having mental breakdowns. https://t.co/H9nFZb5Vsg

— Tony Edward (Thinking Crypto Podcast) (@ThinkingCrypto1) August 4, 2025

This followed Robert Breedlove's disparaging remark about XRP. Simultaneously, USA Today suggested XRP as a top crypto investment.

Differing Opinions on Market Signals

Following the USA Today recommendation, Deaton speculated about a potential bull market. However, analyst Ali Martinez viewed it as a possible sign of a market top, while Laura Shin criticized USA Today’s crypto coverage.

Disclaimer: This content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Conduct thorough research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author and publication are not responsible for financial losses.

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