XRP Community Slams Stellar Founder as Ripple Feud Grows

American entrepreneur Jed McCaleb, Stellar protocol founder recently took a jab at Ripple Labs in a controversial post on X.

McCaleb, the “Build on Stellar” project founder, criticized Ripple over its ongoing class-action lawsuit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding its token XRP. 

His comment sparked a strong response from the XRP community. It triggered a heated exchange between McCaleb, Ripple supporters, and key figures in the crypto space.

The Stellar Post That Sparked the Drama

It all started with a simple post on X from the “Build on Stellar” official account. 

“imagine spending more on lawyers than developers and calling it progress,” Stellar posted on February 8.

What seemed like a harmless remark concerning Ripple’s ongoing legal battle quickly stirred up trouble. The post criticized Ripple Labs for its struggle with the SEC and subtly aimed to address the company’s handling of the XRP situation. 

This post has caused quite a debate in the community; some believe McCaleb’s post was just a casual comment, while others feel it was a planned attack. The XRP community, already upset about the legal battle with the SEC, sees McCaleb’s actions as part of a more significant issue. 

They believe that since McCaleb left Ripple to co-found Stellar, unresolved conflicts remain between the two projects.

Stellar’s Post Received Backlash

The Stellar’s post stirred up a lot of controversy on social media. It prompted a strong response from John Deaton, a legal representative for XRP holders in the lawsuit against the SEC. 

Deaton criticized McCaleb for attacking a company he once co-founded, calling it hypocritical. This is especially true since McCaleb had made billions from XRP sales. Meanwhile, Ripple was spending vast amounts on legal fees, fighting to protect the company. This fact did not sit well with Deaton or the broader XRP community.

Ripple’s chief technology officer, David Schwartz, also fired back at McCaleb with a remark: “If you go after the king, you might as well not miss.” The XRP community widely supported the statement. 

Schwartz clarified that McCaleb’s criticism had crossed a line, and Ripple would not let it slide. 

Lingering Ripple versus SEC Lawsuit

The legal battle between Ripple Labs and the SEC is far from over. In January, the SEC appealed a recent court decision that partly favored Ripple, arguing that XRP is not a security in secondary market transactions. The case is now under review by the U.S. Court of Appeals.

In the meantime, the SEC has made changes within its team, moving key staff members to new roles. This has led to speculation about the agency’s next steps in crypto enforcement. 

XRP’s price has dropped recently, falling 6% in the last 24 hours and 24% in the past week as the lawsuit unfolds. The outcome of this appeal could have significant consequences for both Ripple and the broader crypto industry.