XRP News Today: Crypto Community Debates US Treasury's Alleged Control of XRP Escrow

Edoardo Farina, CEO of Alpha Lions Academy, has reignited debate within the crypto community by claiming that the United States Treasury secretly obtained partial control of XRP’s escrow in 2020. This assertion, made on the social media platform X, suggests that the acquisition occurred without any public disclosure or confirmation from either Ripple or government entities. Farina encouraged his followers to purchase XRP in anticipation of an upcoming significant announcement, a claim he has been promoting since early January.

Ripple introduced an escrow system for XRP in 2017, designed to manage the distribution of XRP tokens through a scheduled release. Initially, 55 billion XRP were placed in escrow, with monthly releases ranging from 500 million to 1 billion XRP. Any unspent amount is returned to escrow, ensuring a predictable and controlled circulation of tokens. Farina’s allegations challenge this structure by implying that the escrow is influenced by the US government, a claim that lacks formal declarations or documented agreements from either federal regulatory bodies or Ripple officials.

Community reactions to Farina’s post have been mixed. Some users view the potential government involvement in digital assets as a sign of deeper shifts in financial systems, suggesting a possible alignment between XRP and institutional frameworks. However, skepticism remains high, with many users questioning the authenticity of the claim and demanding more concrete evidence. The absence of regulatory filings or confirmations has left many unconvinced.

Farina also expressed the opinion that Ripple is on its way to becoming a full-scale banking platform, a prediction that has faced criticism in the past. He argued that recent events are proving these criticisms wrong, although Ripple has not made any official announcements regarding such a transition. Ripple’s expanding role in cross-border payments and its collaborations with central banks have further fueled speculation about its future institutional use. The introduction of its new licensed stablecoin, RLUSD, backed by the US dollar, adds to the intrigue surrounding Ripple’s ambitions.

Despite the unverified nature of the Treasury claim, the renewed attention highlights the ongoing tension between speculation and official transparency within the crypto community. Ripple has not responded to the resurfaced allegation, leaving Farina’s statement unconfirmed. Until Ripple addresses the issue, the claim will remain a subject of debate and speculation.