Ripple Co-Founder Arthur Britto Breaks 14-Year Silence with Mysterious X Post
The Reclusive Blockchain Pioneer Returns to Public View, Triggering XRP Rally
Arthur Britto, the elusive co-creator of the XRP Ledger and co-founder of Ripple Labs, has resurfaced after 14 years of silence with a cryptic message on his long-dormant X (formerly Twitter) account.
On Monday, Britto posted a single emoji — a face without a mouth — on the social platform he joined back in August 2011. The symbol, often interpreted as speechlessness or deliberate silence, marks his first-ever public communication in over a decade.
Shortly after, fellow Ripple co-founder David Schwartz confirmed via X that the post was authentic, writing that it was “not a hack or compromise.”
Source: David Schwartz
The Ghost Behind Ripple’s Origins
Britto co-founded Ripple Labs alongside David Schwartz and Jed McCaleb — who also founded Mt. Gox. In 2012, the trio launched the XRP Ledger, a decentralized blockchain designed for fast and efficient cross-border payments. The XRP token soon followed.
Before Ripple was Ripple, Britto was part of the team behind NewCoin, which was rebranded to OpenCoin and later to Ripple Labs. Though instrumental in its creation, Britto quickly stepped back into the shadows, opting to serve as an adviser rather than a public executive.
Britto earned the nickname “ghost” due to his extreme privacy. There are no verified photos of him, he’s never given a public interview, and until this week, he had not made a single public statement.
A Private Powerhouse with Public Impact
Despite his reclusiveness, Britto has left a strong imprint on the crypto industry. He is the founder and president of PolySign, a blockchain infrastructure firm. He was also briefly a director at crypto exchange Bitstamp, from May 2014 to September 2015.
Britto’s name surfaces in several legal documents, including the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple Labs, though only to note his role in XRP’s creation. In 2015, he sued McCaleb over the creation of Stellar, accusing him of copying Ripple’s code in breach of contract.
Source: David Schwartz An image will be inserted here
In 2019, The Block reported that Ripple’s internal team described Britto as “an introvert and super private,” noting that public-facing management roles can “take their toll.” Schwartz echoed this in a 2023 post:
“He is a separate and distinct human being in his own right. But he is intensely private.”
XRP Surges 8% Following Britto’s Return
Britto’s brief emoji post triggered a wave of speculation — and market movement. In the 14 hours following the post, XRP surged 8.1%, reaching $2.20, up from a 24-hour low of $1.97.
While part of the rally may be tied to broader market optimism surrounding a possible Israel-Iran ceasefire, the timing of the surge aligns directly with Britto’s reappearance — a rare moment that reminded many of Ripple’s mysterious roots.
What Comes Next for Ripple’s Shadow Figure?
With Britto now breaking a silence that lasted over a decade, many are left wondering: will the Ripple “ghost” step into the light, or is this just a brief signal before he returns to the shadows?
Whatever the answer, his silence is no longer complete — and neither is the story of Ripple.
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