Ripple Co-founder Breaks 14-Year Silence
After nearly 14 years of silence, Arthur Britto, co-founder of Ripple Labs and the XRP Ledger (XRPL), resurfaced on X with a new post on Monday. This unprecedented event follows the SEC's lawsuit against Ripple which is now in its final stages.
David Schwartz, Ripple's CTO and fellow XRPL architect, confirmed the post's authenticity, dismissing any concerns about hacking. This is significant given Britto's exceptionally private nature.
Unlike other prominent Ripple figures like Brad Garlinghouse and Chris Larsen, Britto has consistently avoided public appearances and interviews. His low profile has led to speculation, even questioning his existence. However, his involvement in Ripple's founding and the XRPL's development is well-documented in business records and legal proceedings, including the ongoing SEC case. He was also involved in a 2015 lawsuit against Jed McCaleb regarding Stellar, settled privately.
A Critical Moment in the SEC vs. Ripple Lawsuit
Britto's brief, single-emoji post comes at a crucial juncture in the SEC vs. Ripple litigation. Both parties await Judge Analisa Torres's ruling on their joint motion to finalize the settlement.
Approval of this motion would trigger the distribution of the $125 million escrowed funds – $50 million to the SEC and $75 million returned to Ripple. This would effectively conclude the long-running case, resolving all pending appeals.
Conversely, rejection would maintain the full penalty and injunction, potentially leading to further litigation, appeals, and further delays, potentially extending the resolution into 2026 or later. This uncertainty significantly impacts Ripple, XRP, and the prospects of potential spot XRP ETFs, predicted by analysts to have a 95% chance of SEC approval.
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