The ongoing comparison between Ripple (XRP) and Stellar (XLM) has taken a new turn—this time not through regulatory developments or technological milestones, but through public opinion and data-backed rebuttals.

A recent thread on social media by a prominent Stellar advocate, known online as “Stellar Expert,” has brought fresh attention to the contrasting strategies of both blockchain projects. The post argued that Stellar is progressing, while Ripple continues to rely on marketing and perception rather than delivery. However, when one examines actual blockchain metrics and adoption trends, the picture becomes far more complex.

A Public Statement Challenges Ripple’s Progress

On June 13, the Stellar community member shared a detailed post criticizing Ripple’s recent moves, particularly the development of an EVM-compatible sidechain and the start of USDC on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). He claimed Ripple was falling behind by focusing on plans still in development, whereas Stellar already has functional solutions in place.

One of the key points centered on Soroban, Stellar’s smart contract platform. Soroban is currently operational and used by developers, providing a programmable environment that supports real-world applications. Ripple’s sidechain, in contrast, is still in the testnet or pre-start phase.

The post also took aim at Ripple’s stablecoin efforts, particularly the start of RLUSD, Ripple’s native USD-pegged stablecoin. The commentator suggested RLUSD had not gained meaningful adoption and argued that Ripple was only now supporting USDC on XRPL due to RLUSD’s weak performance. Meanwhile, Stellar’s version of USDC reportedly maintains over 1.5 million trustlines and handles regular transactional activity.

According to the post, XRP continues to be driven by speculation and online attention rather than infrastructure or usage growth.

But Data Paints a Broader Picture

Despite the harsh criticism, the numbers related to Ripple’s ecosystem activity show measurable growth.

For instance, RLUSD, Ripple’s stablecoin, has significantly expanded its supply since its introduction. As of June 2025, its circulating supply had grown over sixfold, exceeding $320 million. These figures indicate increasing usage and confidence from both institutional and retail sectors.

Trading volume data provides even more insight. In its first month alone, RLUSD recorded over $3 trillion in cumulative trading volume on centralized exchanges. In January 2025, RLUSD alone accounted for $2.84 trillion in transactions, positioning it as one of the most actively traded stablecoins at that time.

These numbers reflect real engagement rather than speculative attention. While RLUSD may not yet match USDC’s dominance, it is far from being a failed initiative.

Stellar’s Strengths Are Clear—So Are Ripple’s

The positive aspects of Stellar’s ecosystem cannot be denied. The Soroban smart contract system is live and enables developers to build decentralized applications with optimized efficiency. Combined with Stellar’s focus on low-cost, cross-border payments, this makes it well-suited for financial access and grassroots adoption.

USDC on Stellar continues to be a critical part of its ecosystem, helping users in remittances, aid distribution, and programmable finance. These practical use cases give Stellar strong relevance in global financial inclusion discussions.

However, Ripple’s approach has always been different. It focuses primarily on institutional-grade adoption, offering tools for banks, financial institutions, and governments. Rather than chasing the latest DeFi trend, Ripple invests in creating long-term payment and liquidity solutions.

Adding USDC to the XRP Ledger is aligned with Ripple’s broader strategy: offering trusted financial tools within a regulatory-aware ecosystem. This integration improves XRPL’s use cases without undermining RLUSD’s role within RippleNet and other applications.

Competitive Dialogue or Strategic Positioning?

The recent criticism by “Stellar Expert” also appears to serve another purpose—repositioning Stellar’s narrative at a time when XRP is again attracting attention. With recent surrounding EVM compatibility, USDC integration, and progress in Ripple’s ongoing legal situation with the SEC, XRP is once more being discussed widely across the crypto space.

Stellar’s response seems aimed at emphasizing its ongoing progress, reminding the market that it, too, is expanding and evolving. This public comparison, while sharp in tone, illustrates a healthy level of competition between two platforms aiming for different market segments.

Ripple and Stellar: Different Goals, Different Success Metrics

Rather than viewing XRP and XLM as rivals in a zero-sum game, it’s more accurate to see them as pursuing complementary paths.

• Stellar focuses on public-access tools, community-driven applications, and ease of use for underbanked populations.

• Ripple pursues institutional partnerships, regulatory compliance, and financial infrastructure solutions for high-volume players.

This division of focus allows both networks to succeed based on distinct adoption models. The competition may exist in public discourse, but in terms of market function, there is room for both to grow.

Final Thoughts: A Measured View

Social media commentary often thrives on sharp contrasts, but crypto adoption is rarely that binary. Ripple’s data, including the expansion of RLUSD and the integration of USDC on XRPL, suggests the company is making steady progress toward its goals. Stellar, through Soroban and its strong support for USDC, also continues to deliver valuable tools to developers and users alike.