On this day, thirteen years ago, a pivotal moment in the history of cryptocurrency unfolded, one that would set the stage for what is now one of the most prominent digital assets in the world. As highlighted by respected XRP Ledger validator, Vet, in a recent post on X, June 2 marks the anniversary of when Arthur Britto, one of the key architects behind the Ripple project, committed the code that officially created the supply of 100 billion XRP. This was not just a technical milestone; it was the foundational moment that birthed an entire ecosystem aimed at revolutionizing global payments. Happy Birthday XRP! Today, 13 years ago, Arthur Britto committed this code that created the 100b XRP. https://t.co/Ku748uUAhE — Vet (@Vet_X0) June 2, 2025 The Birth of XRP and Ripple’s Vision Arthur Britto, alongside David Schwartz and Jed McCaleb, envisioned a blockchain-based digital asset that could address the inefficiencies plaguing traditional financial systems. While Bitcoin had emerged a few years earlier as a decentralized peer-to-peer electronic cash system, the Ripple founders saw an opportunity to tackle a different problem: cross-border payments. Existing systems like SWIFT were slow, expensive, and fragmented. The idea behind XRP was to create a digital asset that could act as a universal bridge currency, enabling instant, low-cost transfers across currencies, banks, and borders. The creation of the 100 billion XRP supply, fixed, finite, and pre-mined, was a deliberate design choice. Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, where new coins are introduced through mining or staking, all XRP came into existence at once. This approach was intended to ensure predictability, efficiency, and scalability, allowing Ripple to distribute XRP strategically to support network growth and adoption. While this pre-mining model has drawn criticism over the years, particularly from those who advocate for proof-of-work systems, it has also enabled Ripple to forge partnerships with major financial institutions and central banks. Arthur Britto: The Quiet Architect Although much of the public attention has centered on Ripple’s executive chairman, Chris Larsen, and CTO David Schwartz , Arthur Britto’s role has been equally foundational. Britto, known for his intensely private nature, was instrumental in the early protocol design and in envisioning XRP’s scalability for global use. His early contributions, including the fateful code commit 13 years ago, laid the groundwork for Ripple’s goal of building an “Internet of Value”, a world where money moves as seamlessly as information does today. We are on twitter, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) July 15, 2023 Britto’s influence extends beyond the original codebase. He remains a key figure behind the scenes, particularly through his work at PolySign, a company focused on institutional-grade digital asset custody. His technical foresight continues to shape the evolution of digital finance, even if he chooses to stay largely out of the limelight. XRP’s Journey: Triumphs, Challenges, and Resilience Since its creation, XRP has weathered dramatic highs and lows. It became one of the top cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, achieving major exchange listings and becoming a pillar of RippleNet, Ripple’s enterprise blockchain payment platform. At its peak, XRP’s price soared to over $3 in early 2018, making early adopters and supporters hopeful of an even greater breakthrough. Yet the journey has not been without challenges. Regulatory scrutiny, particularly from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has cast a long shadow over Ripple and XRP . Despite these legal hurdles, XRP has maintained a loyal global community and continues to see active development, with Ripple expanding its services, including in central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiatives, cross-border remittances, and tokenization projects. The Legacy of a Code Commit What makes Vet’s reminder so powerful is not just the nostalgia of looking back but the realization of how one code commit can shape an entire technological and financial movement. On June 2, 2012, when Arthur Britto formalized the creation of the XRP supply, he wasn’t just writing code; he was setting in motion a vision of financial interoperability that still inspires innovation today. As Ripple continues to push forward, whether through legal victories, technological advancements, or new partnerships, the foundational act that took place thirteen years ago remains central. It is a testament to the power of vision, code, and collaboration, and to the enduring ambition of building a financial system fit for the digital age. Happy Birthday, XRP. Your journey is far from over. 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 Today, 13 Years Ago, Arthur Britto Committed This Code that Created the 100 Billion XRP appeared first on Times Tabloid .
