Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, has highlighted what sets the XRP Ledger apart from blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum—its focus on delivering real value for financial use.
Since the introduction of Bitcoin in 2009, blockchain technology has evolved in numerous directions. Some blockchains were designed to remain simple and adhere to strict rules, with minimal changes over time. Others have become very advanced, adding more and more features—but often without a clear purpose or real-world use.
Function Over Hype: The XRP Ledger Way
While many blockchain platforms either adhere to strict simplicity or become overwhelmed by an endless array of technical features, some take a more focused approach. The XRP Ledger (XRPL) was created with a practical mission—supporting real financial transactions in a way that’s fast, affordable, and dependable. Instead of following hype or abstract ideals, it was built to meet the actual needs of the financial world.
Recently, XRPL validator and crypto commentator Vet (@Vet_X0) shared a video where Ripple CTO David Schwartz discussed how those original design goals continue to influence XRP today. He explained that choices made early in XRPL’s development are still what give it a distinct identity compared to platforms like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
What Sets XRP Apart from BTC and ETH?
David Schwartz opened the discussion by highlighting how XRP was built with a different mission than the blockchains that came before it. He pointed out that Bitcoin was primarily designed to transfer and store value securely. While that makes it dependable, its narrow focus means it lacks the adaptability needed for broader financial use.
On the other hand, Ethereum went in a completely different direction. By introducing smart contracts, developers were given the ability to build a wide range of decentralized applications directly on the blockchain. This made Ethereum extremely flexible but also brought complications, like high and unpredictable fees, slower performance, and added complexity that can be difficult to manage at scale.
XRP’s Middle Ground Advantage
XRP was built to sit in the middle—more flexible than Bitcoin but not as open-ended as Ethereum. It wasn’t made to host apps or run complex programs. Instead, its primary goal was to facilitate faster, cheaper, and more reliable payments and financial transfers. That focus is why many people in the industry believe XRP does a better job at handling payments than Bitcoin or Ethereum.
XRP’s Rise Backed by Real Utility
As of June 12, XRP is trading at $2.24, demonstrating steady growth and strong interest from both investors and the broader cryptocurrency community. XRP stands out because it was designed primarily for fast and affordable payments, rather than storing value like Bitcoin or supporting numerous different applications like Ethereum.
Its focus on solving real problems in the financial system, such as cross-border payments and transaction speed, makes it a practical choice in today’s growing blockchain market. Many believe that XRP’s clear goal, reliable performance, and increasing adoption give it a decisive advantage, especially as demand for better digital payment solutions continues to rise.
Built for Real-World Use
XRP was created from the start to be fast, low-cost, and reliable—especially for real-world payments. David Schwartz made it clear that these features weren’t added later but were part of the plan from the beginning.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said XRP’s builders saw the problems with Bitcoin and designed something better for banks, payment companies, and developers working on finance tools. That’s why XRP is now used for things like cross-border payments and tokenizing real-world assets, where speed, trust, and low fees are very important.
Final Thoughts
XRP shows what can happen when a blockchain is built with a clear and useful goal. Instead of trying to do everything, it focused on fixing real problems in finance—like making payments faster, cheaper, and more reliable. While Bitcoin and Ethereum helped start the crypto world, XRP took a different path by focusing on what banks, businesses, and users actually need. With its strong performance and increasing adoption, XRP demonstrates that real-world use is more important than hype in the long run.
