The official Bitcoin account on X (formerly Twitter) has recently reignited the long-standing rivalry between Bitcoin and XRP with a provocative post that fueled reactions across both communities. The Bitcoin account shared a two-panel image intended to insult XRP, referring to it as an asset of very low quality. In the first panel, a child looks at the sole of their shoe in disgust after stepping on something unpleasant, and the caption reads, “I just stepped in some crap.” The second panel reveals that the unpleasant substance is labeled “XRP.” This visual jab from Bitcoin’s official handle clearly aimed to put down XRP, which is currently the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

Unsurprisingly, this post reignited the heated back-and-forth between Bitcoin and XRP supporters, a feud that has simmered for years within the crypto community. XRP enthusiasts were quick to respond, matching the tone with their own sharp criticisms directed at Bitcoin. One notable member of the XRP community, Six8Jay, turned the tables by sharing a similar image, but this time highlighting Bitcoin’s slow transaction speeds. In Six8Jay’s version, the first frame shows the child stepping on “slow crap,” and the second frame places Bitcoin under the shoe.

Adding further depth to the conversation, Edoardo Farina, founder of Alpha Lions Academy, reminded followers how the creators of the XRP Ledger—David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto—developed the platform to address inherent issues with Bitcoin’s proof-of-work system, particularly its inefficiency. Farina even referred to Bitcoin as “Beta Test Coin” while describing XRP as the “final product,” emphasizing XRP’s design to overcome Bitcoin’s limitations.

Another XRP supporter, RISKTAKE, suggested that Bitcoin’s official account targeted XRP because it views XRP as a serious threat to its dominance. Others in the community mocked Bitcoin’s sluggishness, sharing anecdotes like waiting too long for a Bitcoin payment to process—so long, in fact, that a barista stopped a customer from leaving after paying with Bitcoin because the transaction was still pending.

Popular XRP advocate Alex Cobb revealed that he was blocked by Bitcoin’s official X account after engaging in this back-and-forth, calling the block “super bearish” for Bitcoin’s public relations.

Despite the sharp exchanges, several voices within both communities have called for an end to the rivalry, urging collaboration for the broader benefit of the cryptocurrency industry.

The conflict between Bitcoin and XRP has been visible for several years, especially on social media platforms like X. Earlier this year, tensions flared when the U.S. crypto reserve initiative fueled debate. Bitcoin maximalists accused Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse of opposing the inclusion of Bitcoin in the national crypto reserve, a claim Garlinghouse denied. He clarified that his stance was in favor of a multi-coin reserve rather than one focused solely on Bitcoin.

In an attempt to ease tensions, Ripple recently donated the “Skull of Satoshi” to the Bitcoin community as a symbolic gesture of peace. This artifact, originally used to highlight Bitcoin’s high energy consumption, was intended to celebrate Bitcoin’s longevity and influence in the space.

However, less than a month after Ripple’s peace offering, the official Bitcoin account on X reignited the feud by posting the disparaging image targeting XRP. This episode underscores the ongoing rivalry and the passionate divisions that persist between the two largest crypto communities.

The Bitcoin versus XRP debate reflects deeper ideological and technical differences between the two projects. While Bitcoin remains the pioneer of blockchain and digital gold, XRP has focused on faster, cheaper cross-border payments and scalable financial infrastructure. The rivalry often plays out publicly, revealing not just competition but also the passionate loyalty and differing visions held by supporters on both sides.

In conclusion, while the recent social media exchange may seem like a lighthearted jab, it highlights enduring tensions between Bitcoin and XRP advocates. Whether these differences will ever be reconciled remains to be seen, but for now, the rivalry continues to fuel lively discussion and debate across the crypto world.