Who Created XRP? The Founders, History & Ripple Explained
Did you know that XRP is regularly among the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap, with a unique legacy tied to some of crypto’s most influential developers? If you’ve ever wondered who created XRP, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore the origins of XRP, introduce the key founders, explain how Ripple’s vision transformed global payments, and clarify what makes XRP stand out in the crypto world. Whether you’re a beginner or just want to separate fact from myth about XRP and Ripple, you’ll get the full story—and practical next steps for getting started—all in one place.
Who Created XRP? Meet the Founders
If you’re searching for who created XRP, the answer starts with three visionaries: Jed McCaleb, Arthur Britto, and David Schwartz. These founders had deep roots in cryptography and earlier crypto projects. They joined forces to develop a digital asset with the ambitious goal of revolutionizing cross-border payments.
XRP was formally launched in 2012 under the stewardship of Ripple Labs, a company then known as OpenCoin. Their effort was to build not just another cryptocurrency, but a new protocol for lightning-fast, low-cost, global transactions. This unique origin story has helped cement XRP’s status as a trusted asset—a reputation upheld by major exchanges like OKX.
Jed McCaleb
Jed McCaleb is best known as the original creator of the Mt. Gox exchange and co-founder of Ripple Labs. His technical expertise and bold ideas shaped XRP’s vision for ultra-fast transactions. After leaving Ripple in 2013, McCaleb went on to found Stellar, yet his influence on XRP’s philosophy of financial inclusivity endures.
David Schwartz & Arthur Britto
David Schwartz, Ripple’s Chief Cryptographer, was instrumental in designing XRP’s consensus mechanism. With a strong background in cryptography, Schwartz remains a leading voice in XRP’s ongoing development today.
Arthur Britto, a more private figure, worked closely with Schwartz and McCaleb to architect the XRP Ledger. Together, these innovators transformed digital asset technology with an emphasis on speed and efficiency.
A Brief History of XRP and Ripple
The story of XRP begins in 2011, when the idea for a new blockchain protocol emerged among a small group of developers. Unlike Bitcoin, the goal was to sidestep energy-hungry mining and streamline global transactions. This led to the launch of the XRP Ledger in 2012.
Ripple Labs—originally called OpenCoin—took shape at the same time, formed by the XRP founders plus entrepreneur Chris Larsen. The company quickly focused on bridging traditional banking with blockchain innovation. Key milestones include XRP’s initial release, Ripple’s enterprise solutions for banks, and later expansion into global remittance corridors.
💡 Pro Tip: Want to stay updated on milestones like these? Platforms such as OKX provide educational content and the latest news on crypto developments.
What Is Ripple? Company vs Crypto
Many newcomers confuse Ripple (the company) with XRP (the digital asset). Ripple Labs is a financial technology firm developing solutions for real-time gross settlement, currency exchange, and remittance. Its core business is enabling faster and cheaper cross-border payments for banks and financial institutions.
XRP, by contrast, is the decentralized cryptocurrency native to the XRP Ledger. Ripple Labs leverages XRP as a bridge currency in some of its payment solutions, but anyone can use or hold XRP independently of Ripple the company. This distinction is key: Ripple is the company; XRP is the currency.
OKX aims to clear up these common confusions with user-friendly guides and expert resources, empowering users to confidently navigate cryptocurrency terminology.
How Does XRP Work?
The backbone of XRP is the XRP Ledger—an open-source, decentralized blockchain not reliant on energy-consuming proof-of-work mining. Instead, it uses a unique consensus protocol for validating transactions quickly, securely, and with minimal cost.
Thanks to these innovations, XRP offers ultra-fast settlement times, often processing global payments in just seconds—a stark contrast to traditional banking. The ledger supports thousands of transactions per second, underpinning real-world use cases such as remittances, microtransactions, and cross-border payments.
OKX supports fast and secure XRP transfers, helping users take advantage of this industry-leading speed and efficiency within their own accounts.
Why Was XRP Created?
So, why was XRP created? The founders wanted to address the high costs, inefficiencies, and slow speeds of the global banking system—issues that even Bitcoin could not fully solve. XRP was designed for instantaneous, low-fee transfers, targeting both individuals and institutions seeking faster payment rails.
The vision was to democratize financial access while providing an eco-friendlier alternative to proof-of-work blockchains. This spirit of innovation is something OKX champions by supporting projects with real-world utility and efficient cross-border applications.
XRP in the Crypto Market: Price and Position
Today, XRP is one of the most widely traded digital assets. As of June 2024, XRP’s price fluctuates between $0.50 and $0.55, with a market capitalization over $28 billion and a circulating supply of about 54 billion XRP coins.
Comparing XRP to other top cryptocurrencies:
| Feature | Bitcoin (BTC) | Ethereum (ETH) | XRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Supply | 21 million | No max | 100 billion |
| Avg Tx Speed | ~10 minutes | ~1-2 minutes | 3-5 seconds |
| Use Case | Digital gold, P2P | Smart contracts | Payments, remittance |
| Market Cap | $1T+ | $400B+ | $28B+ |
For live data, visit OKX’s XRP price and charts page.
How to Buy and Store XRP Safely
You can purchase XRP on major exchanges like OKX, which adheres to strict compliance and proof-of-reserves. Simply sign up, complete ID verification, fund your account, and trade XRP on the spot market.
To store XRP, you have two primary options:
- Custodial exchanges (like OKX) with integrated secure wallets
- Non-custodial wallets (hardware or software) for self-custody
For maximum safety:
Always enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on exchange accounts
Use hardware wallets for substantial holdings
Never disclose your private keys or seed phrases
Risk Disclaimer: All crypto investments carry risk. Only invest what you can afford to lose and always secure your assets using best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the founders of XRP?
Jed McCaleb, David Schwartz, and Arthur Britto created XRP. McCaleb and Britto designed the ledger with Schwartz as the chief cryptographer.
What year was XRP created?
XRP was launched in 2012, following development and planning that began in 2011.
How is Ripple different than XRP?
Ripple is the company focused on payments technology; XRP is the independent digital currency powering the XRP Ledger.
Why was XRP invented?
XRP was invented to make global payments faster, cheaper, and more efficient than existing financial systems.
Is XRP considered a safe investment?
XRP carries risks like all cryptocurrencies. Research thoroughly, practice safe storage, and use secure, regulated platforms like OKX.
Where can I buy XRP?
You can buy XRP on OKX and other regulated exchanges. Always choose platforms with robust security and transparency.
Conclusion
Understanding who created XRP unpacks the origins of a digital asset built for speed and global access. Pioneers like Jed McCaleb, David Schwartz, and Arthur Britto shaped XRP to solve real payments problems—and their vision continues to inspire. Now, XRP’s rapid settlement and strong presence make it a fixture among top cryptocurrencies. Ready to explore XRP and learn more? Visit OKX to access live prices, secure wallet options, and trusted educational tools.