A crypto analyst has rebutted claims that Ripple uses XRP as a cash machine to build a conventional fintech empire.

In a detailed post on X, the analyst behind the CryptoinsightUK account explained what he sees as the root of persistent criticism toward XRP. He noted that detractors often argue that Ripple sells XRP to fund the acquisition of real-world companies, claiming this strategy gradually dilutes the token’s relevance.

“Critics Misread Ripple’s Strategy”

Notably, these accusations typically resurface whenever Ripple announces new acquisitions, such as Hidden Road (now Ripple Prime) and Rail. Critics, he said, frequently claim that proceeds from Ripple’s monthly XRP sales directly finance these deals.

However, the analyst argued that while critics are “almost right,” they fundamentally misinterpret Ripple’s business model and long-term vision. He acknowledged that Ripple often sells portions of its XRP holdings, but stressed that the purpose is not to replace XRP with conventional assets.

Instead, he explained that Ripple monetizes XRP to build a financial ecosystem that increases XRP’s utility and long-term value. Far from treating XRP as disposable operating capital, Ripple keeps the token at the center of its balance sheet.

Selling XRP as a Strategic Tool

The analyst further framed XRP sales as a means, not an end in itself. He suggested that Ripple controls roughly 40% of XRP’s total supply. He believes the holdings could eventually be worth more than the company’s entire balance sheet if adopted at scale. Hence, he argued that treating such an asset like ordinary cash would be irrational.

Rather than selling XRP to accumulate traditional businesses, the analyst said Ripple uses selective monetization to acquire infrastructure, licenses, and institutions that make XRP more relevant, necessary, and valuable over time.

Furthermore, CryptoinsightUK highlights Ripple’s involvement with institutional infrastructure, including prime brokerage services and stablecoin rails, as evidence of this strategy. He framed these acquisitions and integrations as multipliers designed to support XRP’s role in global finance.

In particular, the analyst stated that these acquisitions would help enhance transaction throughput and create real-world settlement demand, among other benefits.

Flywheel Effect Critics Fail to See

The analysis also points to a feedback loop that many critics overlook. As XRP remains central to Ripple’s balance sheet, the company continues to build payments, custody, liquidity, stablecoin, and treasury infrastructure around the asset.

As institutions adopt this full-stack offering, XRP increasingly functions as an efficient neutral settlement asset. Demand compounds over time, and long-term price appreciation, the analyst argued, ultimately outweighs any short-term impact from XRP sales.

Under this model, selling limited amounts of XRP is a form of capital deployment intended to strengthen the asset’s long-term demand and price performance.

Ripple CEO: XRP Remains Our “North Star”

At Ripple Swell 2025, CEO Brad Garlinghouse reaffirmed that XRP remains central to Ripple’s long-term strategy, despite the company’s expansion into stablecoins, prime brokerage, and institutional services.

He described XRP as Ripple’s “heart, soul, and north star,” stressing that all major decisions ultimately support the XRP ecosystem.

Addressing community concerns that Ripple’s stablecoin and multi-chain strategy signal a move away from XRPL, Garlinghouse clarified that XRP liquidity remains core to Ripple’s vision.

Jake Claver, CEO of Digital Ascension Group, recently spoke on the Paul Barron Show about long-term retirement planning for XRP holders. 

Change in Retirement Mindsets

Speaking on retirement mindsets, Paul Barron pointed out that more people in their 40s now plan to retire early. Notably, this trend shows a move away from the idea of working for decades without pause, as the new generation plans to do things differently.

Responding to this trend, Claver said people see life in stages. He explained that the first 20 years usually focus on avoiding major mistakes. The next 20 years center on building wealth through careers, investing, or starting businesses. Meanwhile, around age 40, many people begin to change their focus toward reinvention and enjoying the financial freedom they created.

He added that later years should focus less on making money and more on giving back. Claver believes mentorship and philanthropy often become priorities at this stage. He also noted that today’s financial system presents more opportunities than in the past, especially with the growth of crypto assets.

How Wealthy Investors Spread Their Assets

Speaking further, Claver stressed that diversification matters at every stage of life. According to him, younger investors can usually take more risk and focus on long-term growth. However, older investors tend to reduce risk and focus on protecting capital and earning a steady income. This approach helps portfolios stay aligned with changing goals.

When asked about the appropriate manner to spread investors, Claver called attention to common family office strategies. He said these investors often keep 20-30% in cash, treasuries, and other low-risk assets. Another 20-30% typically goes into stocks. 

Real estate often makes up 10-20% because it supports cash flow, diversification, and tax efficiency. He added that businesses also play an important role by generating income and offering tax benefits through depreciation. 

Meanwhile, crypto usually represents a small share of these portfolios, often around 1-5%, though younger or more aggressive investors may allocate more. Notably, he compared wealth to a tree, saying diversification protects the whole structure if one area underperforms.

How to Retire Long-Term with XRP

Barron then asked how investors can hold XRP and other digital assets long-term without selling. He spotlighted assets such as XRP, XLM, HBAR, Bitcoin, and others, along with XRP-focused yield options offered by platforms like Flare and some crypto wallets.

In response, Claver said his firm, DAG, focuses on education and structure rather than pushing a single solution. He highlighted Wyoming as a strong location for crypto holders because of its favorable regulations and creditor protections based on laws from Delaware and Nevada. According to him, his firm has helped set up nearly 7,500 Wyoming-based LLCs for managing digital assets.

Notably, these LLCs can hold assets such as XRP, XLM, HBAR, Bitcoin, ETH, Solana, Matic, and Chainlink. Claver explained that his company usually creates holding companies rather than trading companies. This is because trading companies do not receive long-term capital gains treatment, while holding companies focus on owning assets and protecting them.

He explained that a properly maintained LLC can protect assets if someone files a lawsuit. Specifically, creditors can only place a charging order on the company, which prevents them from selling or taking the crypto.

Claver said DAG often pairs these LLCs with living trusts set up in the client’s home state. These trusts can be revocable or irrevocable and usually require a local attorney. He noted that DAG currently helps set up living trusts for $500, with the price increasing to $1,000 later. 

He explained that living trusts mainly help avoid probate. Investors usually assign their LLC ownership to the trust so beneficiaries can inherit the assets smoothly. Notably, people often place homes, vehicles, vacation properties, valuables, gold, silver, and family heirlooms into these trusts.

Finance commentator and XRP supporter John Squire says that people who hold XRP for a long time may one day lose track of how much their investment is worth.

His comment highlights strong optimism among holders about XRP’s future and its role in global finance.

While XRP remains under $2 today, Squire wrote on X that XRP holders may reach a point where they no longer know their exact wealth because the asset has grown so much.

Popular Hope to Get Rich via XRP

Many XRP supporters believe its value could increase over time due to factors such as institutional adoption, ETF investments, and real-world use cases. They paint a long-term future in which even modest holdings could turn into substantial wealth for investors.

This perspective is widely shared among XRP supporters. For instance, an NFT project founder named Bark has said XRP could help many people retire one day.

Meanwhile, questions continue to circulate about how high XRP’s value could reach and how many tokens retail investors would need to hold for their financial situation to significantly change through price appreciation.

The Numbers at Today’s XRP Price

Many analysts have described holding between 1,000 and 10,000 XRP as a meaningful long-term position for retail investors. Some, like Edoardo Farina, call 1,000 XRP the minimum, arguing that those holding less are not serious about their finances.

At the time of writing, XRP is trading at $1.85. Accordingly, it costs $1,850 to buy 1,000 XRP tokens, about $9,250 for 5,000 XRP, and roughly $18,500 for 10,000 XRP.

The view among XRP supporters is that these holdings are more likely to reach million-dollar valuations in the future. However, forecasts for XRP vary widely.

Telegaon projects XRP’s price could trade between $80 and $120 between 2035 and 2040. At $100, 1,000 XRP would be worth $100,000, a six-figure amount.

Meanwhile, 5,000 XRP would be worth $500,000, and 10,000 XRP would reach $1 million, elevating such holders to millionaire status.

Changelly’s more aggressive outlook places XRP between $150 and $200 in the same timeframe. At $200, a 10,000 XRP position would be worth $2 million.

Some analysts, such as Jake Claver, have even floated four-digit price scenarios if XRP becomes deeply embedded in global payment infrastructure.

While optimistic, these outlooks are highly speculative. They would require several thousand percent price growth for XRP and a market capitalization approaching $60 trillion. Many consider it unrealistic.

Institutional Strength

Optimism around XRP has also been supported by institutional interest. Recent spot XRP ETF launches by firms such as Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, Bitwise, and Canary Capital have reportedly absorbed $1.25 billion worth of XRP in a short period.

Market watchers believe that sustained ETF inflows, combined with corporate treasury adoption and XRP’s role in cross-border payments, could create long-term supply pressure. This has led some analysts to suggest XRP could reach double-digit prices sooner than many expect.

Long-Term Message, Not a Price Prediction

Ultimately, John Squire is not predicting a specific price for XRP. Instead, he is highlighting how long-term growth could change an investor’s financial situation over time.

While there is no guarantee that XRP will reach extremely high prices, many supporters believe its current valuation does not fully reflect its utility.