Ripple’s latest $750 million share buyback has split the XRP community in two. While some members see the internal buy-and-sell cycle as a sign of strength for both the crypto payments company and XRP, others argue that the move exposes a cycle that has always put retail XRP holders at the bottom of the food chain.
Ripple’s Buyback Leaves Retail Questioning XRP Loyalty
Crypto analyst @WhaleFUD has ignited a new debate within the crypto community by revealing details on Ripple’s internal buy and sell cycle and how it impacts XRP. In an X post on Wednesday, he noted that Ripple sells XRP and uses the proceeds to fund share buybacks for its own private equity.
According to him, venture capital (VC) firms and institutional investors are buying shares in Ripple, the crypto company, rather than XRP, the native token of the XRP Ledger (XRPL). This means that any increase in Ripple’s corporate value does not directly benefit XRP holders. As @WhaleFUD put it, “Retail is the liquidity,” while “Wall Street is the winner.”
Unsurprisingly, the post triggered a sharp reaction from various members of the XRP community, with many criticizing Ripple for favoring equity holders over XRP holders. Community members argued that this structure gives Ripple zero incentive to support XRP’s long-term success.
Some alleged that Ripple’s leadership profits from XRP transactions by using escrow sales to fund buybacks and increase share prices ahead of the company’s initial public offering (IPO). They pointed to the launch of the RLUSD stablecoin as a product that competes with the XRPL’s use cases, further implying that retail investors are being sidelined.
Additionally, they compared Ripple’s internal buy-and-sell cycle to historical crypto trends, citing the 2017 initial coin offerings (ICOs) and 2021 layer-1 (L1) launches, in which retail holders provided liquidity while early investors repeated the financial rewards. Another member added that Ripple now has no reason to ensure XRP holders profit, suggesting that the company has handed itself to VC backers and now prioritizes institutional gains.
Others Say Buyback Signals XRP Confidence
While criticism from many in the crypto community rose, blockchain researcher BankXRP responded to the buyback news with a more positive take. He argued that Ripple’s latest buyback move signals strength in the company and XRP.
According to reports, Ripple has launched a $750 million share buyback from investors and employees, placing the company at a $50 billion valuation. This represents a 25% increase from the crypto company’s $40 billion market value following its $500 million funding round in November 2025.
BankXRP sees the tender offer as evidence of Ripple’s liquidity and long-term confidence in the XRP ecosystem. Notably, the buyback is moving forward despite ongoing uncertainty in the crypto market and downward pressure on the XRP price. The initiative is further supported by Ripple’s recent strategic acquisitions, including its $1 billion GTreasury purchase and the $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road, among others.
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