A 2014 email exchange has resurfaced online, confirming a fact long known by early blockchain enthusiasts but often overlooked in broader public discourse: Ripple predates Bitcoin. Brought back into the spotlight by X user SMQKE, this email thread features notable contributors discussing the origins and purpose of Ripple, offering rare clarity about one of the oldest digital payment systems in the crypto space. Ripple’s Early Origins: 2004 and Ryan Fugger’s Vision The email confirms that the earliest version of Ripple was conceived in 2004 by Canadian developer Ryan Fugger. As stated in the thread by Bailey Reutzel, “The first iteration of Ripple was conceived by Ryan Fugger in 2004.” Fugger initially envisioned RipplePay as a decentralized system for individuals to issue and exchange credit based on trust, well before the emergence of blockchain as a concept. This early version of Ripple was not designed as a cryptocurrency, but rather as a peer-to-peer financial system focused on community-based value exchange. It wasn’t until years later, with the rise of Bitcoin, that Ripple shifted focus toward building blockchain-native infrastructure. 2014 E-mails confirm: “Ripple is older than Bitcoin.” pic.twitter.com/9c8cOF4065 — SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) June 24, 2025 Ripple vs. Bitcoin: Setting the Timeline Straight The email strongly counters the notion that Ripple was designed solely to profit from Bitcoin’s success. Jeffrey Cliff, responding to an earlier message, asserted: “Ripple predates Bitcoin, and the hype that followed.” This refutes the notion that Ripple was created in response to Bitcoin. Bitcoin’s whitepaper, authored by Satoshi Nakamoto, was published in late 2008, with the genesis block mined in January 2009. In contrast, Ripple’s development had already begun five years earlier under Fugger’s guidance. This timeline confirms Ripple’s independent conceptual genesis, making it one of the oldest projects in the digital currency space. Chris Larsen and the Transformation of Ripple The emails also delve into how Ripple evolved from Fugger’s initial concept into its current state. As Bailey Reutzel explains, Chris Larsen, described as a “serial financial services disruptor”, saw potential in the Ripple idea and sought to develop it further. Under his leadership, Ripple was reshaped to appeal to the financial mainstream, particularly as interest in Bitcoin grew. We are on twitter, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) July 15, 2023 Reutzel notes that Larsen likely positioned Ripple as a cryptocurrency not because of its core design, but as a means to attract attention during the early crypto boom. She writes: “Larsen pushed this as a cryptocurrency to catch attention, because the platform itself is not really about cryptocurrency at all.” XRP vs. Ripple: Understanding the Distinction Another important clarification comes from a participant named Evan, who emphasizes the need to differentiate between Ripple and XRP. He writes, “The distinction between Ripple the network and Ripple the currency is often quite confusing, so I think it’s most helpful to call the network Ripple and the currency just XRP .” This separation remains relevant today, particularly in regulatory discussions and in understanding the XRP Ledger’s open-source nature. This email exchange offers rare historical insight into Ripple’s legacy. It confirms that Ripple is not a Bitcoin derivative, but an independent financial innovation that predates the world’s first cryptocurrency by several years. As crypto continues to evolve, understanding the foundational histories of these platforms is more important than ever, especially when clarity is often lost in hype and misinformation. 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 This 2014 Email Confirms Ripple Is Older Than Bitcoin appeared first on Times Tabloid .
