In what many have interpreted as a veiled mockery of XRP and its community, Bitcoin advocate Phil Geiger recently posted on X, “Ripple has been marketing that banks are going to use XRP since 2013. I just called my bank, and they’ve never heard of Ripple.” This remark, while seemingly innocuous on the surface, comes amid intensifying tensions between XRP enthusiasts and Bitcoin maximalists following the recent political saga involving Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis. The senator reportedly canceled a scheduled meeting with Garlinghouse without providing a new date—an act many in the XRP community perceived as a snub, triggering a new wave of tribalism in the already fragmented crypto space. Ripple has been marketing that banks are going to use XRP since 2013. I just called my bank, and they've never heard of Ripple. — Phil Geiger (@phil_geiger) May 20, 2025 XRP vs. Bitcoin Maximalism: A Reignited Feud The timing of Geiger’s jab is no coincidence. The crypto community has been embroiled in a fiery discourse ever since Timestabloid reported that Senator Lummis, a vocal supporter of Bitcoin, abruptly pulled out of a scheduled discussion with Ripple’s CEO. No explanation or rescheduling was provided, a move XRP supporters viewed as politically motivated and dismissive of Ripple’s contributions to crypto innovation and policy discourse. The incident fueled the long-standing feud between Bitcoin maximalists, who argue for Bitcoin’s supremacy and the irrelevance of altcoins, and XRP enthusiasts, who see Ripple’s technology as essential to the future of global finance. Phil Geiger’s sarcastic post echoes a popular maximalist narrative: that Ripple’s decade-long marketing claims about XRP being adopted by banks have not materialized meaningfully. The tone of his post suggests that despite Ripple’s years of promotion and partnership announcements, its impact remains largely theoretical to the average consumer, and, according to Geiger, to mainstream banks as well. Ripple’s Track Record with Financial Institutions Since 2013, Ripple has maintained that its blockchain-based payment solutions, including its native token XRP, would revolutionize cross-border banking by offering faster and cheaper alternatives to SWIFT. Over the years, the company has secured partnerships with several financial institutions and central banks for pilot projects and integrations. Yet, many of these initiatives rely on RippleNet or On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) rather than the XRP token itself. We are on twitter, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) July 15, 2023 Critics argue that the distinction between Ripple’s software products and XRP is often blurred in marketing campaigns, leading to confusion about XRP’s actual utility. Geiger’s statement, while dismissive, taps into this skepticism by implying that if banks aren’t even aware of Ripple, then XRP’s touted future as a banking staple may be overblown. A Clash of Ideologies The XRP vs. Bitcoin feud is more than a battle over market share; it reflects a philosophical divide. Bitcoin maximalists like Geiger prioritize decentralization, censorship resistance, and trustless systems—traits they argue XRP lacks due to Ripple’s centralized control. Meanwhile, XRP advocates counter that practical adoption and institutional integration matter more than ideological purity , especially in the context of remittances and international finance. The canceled meeting between Senator Lummis and Ripple’s CEO added fuel to this ideological fire. Lummis’s close alignment with Bitcoin interests has led many to question whether there is an institutional bias against other projects in the regulatory arena. In this context, Geiger’s post can be seen not merely as personal skepticism but as a calculated attempt to diminish XRP’s standing at a politically sensitive moment. Phil Geiger’s post is emblematic of the renewed antagonism between Bitcoin maximalists and XRP supporters —a tension inflamed by political snubs, regulatory battles, and divergent visions for crypto’s future. Whether XRP ultimately achieves the banking adoption that Ripple has long promised remains uncertain. But what is clear is that, in the ongoing war of crypto ideologies, even a phone call to a local bank can be wielded as a weapon. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Bitcoin Maxi: I Just Called My Bank, and They’ve Never Heard of Ripple (XRP) appeared first on Times Tabloid .
