Ex-Ripple dev Matt Hamilton says Strategy’s $72.2B BTC portfolio could be $129B with XRP, fueling BTC vs. XRP debate.
BTC vs. XRP: A former Ripple developer has shared an analysis that suggests Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy), a company renowned for its Bitcoin-first investment approach, could have doubled its returns if it had backed XRP instead of BTC.
An ex-Ripple developer evaluates the effectiveness of the BTC versus XRP strategy
A former Ripple developer, Matt Hamilton, recently revealed in a post on X that Strategy’s portfolio could be nearly twice as valuable if the same dollar amount had been invested in XRP instead of BTC. Hamilton’s analysis revisits the long-term performance of the tokens, asserting that XRP has outperformed BTC over the years.
Upon closer examination, the altcoin’s annual gain is an impressive 513%, which greatly exceeds Bitcoin’s 96%. Despite the market’s volatility, Hamilton observes that the altcoin’s risk-return profile has been more robust during the same period. Hamilton cites the increasing adoption and use cases of XRP as evidence of overlooked potential, even though Bitcoin maximalists continue to maintain that BTC is the safest digital asset.
Strategy currently possesses more than 601,000 BTC, which was acquired for approximately $42.87 billion. The firm has an unrealized profit of roughly $29.4 billion, as the hoard is currently valued at over $71 billion at current market prices. The most recent acquisitions by the Strategy include 4,980 BTC for $531.9 million, with an average price of over $106,000 per Bitcoin.
Michael Saylor, the chairman of Strategy, continues to be one of Bitcoin’s most vocal advocates. His social media postings frequently underscore the firm’s conviction in the coin as a long-term investment for corporate treasuries, encouraging followers to “buy more” BTC. Strategy is on the brink of achieving its milestone objective of 600,000 BTC this year, as it has made BTC purchases for 12 consecutive weeks.
XRP Treasury Adoption Experiences a Significant Increase
Hamilton’s assertion that an XRP-focused Strategy might have outperformed is substantiated by numerous public corporations establishing dedicated XRP treasuries.
Trident, which is listed on Nasdaq, has announced its intention to raise $500 million to establish one of the largest corporate XRP treasuries in the world, as previously reported. Similarly, VivoPower has already raised $121 million for its XRP-focused approach, which aims to simplify the practical application of decentralised finance (DeFi).
Webus International also filed with the SEC to establish a $300 million XRP reserve, and Hyperscale Data’s Ault Capital Group plans to acquire $10 million of XRP to fuel an on-chain lending platform. Even Worksport Ltd. has allocated $5 million to establishing an XRP treasury, diversifying its portfolio in addition to its lesser BTC positions.
The altcoin is gaining appeal among institutions at a collective level, surpassing Bitcoin in popularity. In addition to purchasing XRP for investment purposes, numerous organizations integrate it into their products and services.
Hamilton’s figures offer an intriguing “what if” scenario. Strategy’s emphasis on Bitcoin is commendable; however, the substantial gains and growing interest from institutions in XRP could have resulted in significantly higher returns.
