Ripple CTO Addresses XRP Circulating Supply Discrepancy

XRP Supply Discrepancy Explained
Is Satoshi’s Bitcoin Still in Circulation?

Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, has weighed in on the ongoing debate about XRP’s circulating supply, drawing comparisons to Bitcoin’s dormant holdings owned by Satoshi Nakamoto. His remarks highlight the complexity of defining circulating supply in the crypto market.

XRP Supply Discrepancy Explained

A recent discussion emerged when an X user pointed out conflicting XRP supply figures from two leading platforms:

CoinMarketCap reports XRP’s circulating supply as 57.64 billion XRP

XRPScan shows a higher figure of 62.23 billion XRP

Schwartz addressed the confusion, stating that the definition of circulating supply depends on what is considered “in circulation.” He compared it to Bitcoin, asking:

"Are Satoshi’s bitcoins circulating? Reasonable people can even disagree on which bitcoins are Satoshi’s."

Is Satoshi’s Bitcoin Still in Circulation?

The analogy is relevant as Satoshi Nakamoto is believed to own over 1 million BTC, untouched since Bitcoin’s early days. While these coins exist on-chain, many argue that their inactivity effectively removes them from circulation.

According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin’s current total and circulating supply stands at 19.81 million BTC, with a maximum cap of 21 million BTC. Meanwhile, Ripple’s XRP holdings include locked escrowed XRP, set to be released monthly over the next 42 months.

Schwartz’s response highlights how circulating supply remains a subjective measure, influencing market perceptions of scarcity and value.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, or other advice. Investing in or trading crypto assets comes with a risk of financial loss.

XRP Circulating Supply

Sujit Kumar

Sujit received his Bachelors in Science from the LNMU Darbhanga. He is currently working as a Content Strategist. He has more than three years of professional experience in information systems, security policies, technologies, and Cryptocurrency. He has published 6 books in the area of information security and assurance. He has published more than 50 research articles in leading journals Regarding the Latest and Breaking Crypto News and updates. His research interests include access control, computer forensics, Digital Marketing, Web development, business hacks, player experience, and virtual storytelling.