The XRP Las Vegas conference, held at MGM Grand from May 30 to 31, saw its largest crowd yet. Over 1,000 crypto enthusiasts gathered to hear updates from Ripple executives. The event focused on XRP adoption and Ripple’s expanding blockchain plans.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse thanked the XRP community on X for their continued support. He praised the event’s growing momentum and called it evidence of XRP’s rising relevance. According to him, the community’s strength plays a vital role in the ecosystem’s progress.
Major Institutions and Executives Join the Event
The event drew attention from both crypto and banking circles. Ripple CTO David Schwartz and former CFTC Chairman Chris Giancarlo were among the key speakers. Representatives from JPMorgan, Citi, Uphold, and Verity One also attended, showing growing institutional interest in XRP.
Garlinghouse spoke about Ripple’s goals and highlighted XRP and the XRP Ledger as the foundation of their innovation. He emphasized XRP’s role in building efficient blockchain-based financial solutions.
Bitwise CEO Praises XRP Community Strength
Bitwise CEO Matt Hougan, who also spoke on May 31, called the crowd “impressive.” He noted that XRP doesn’t compete with Bitcoin but instead complements it. According to Hougan, each asset serves different markets, and both can thrive side by side.
Related article: Ripple Demands SEC Clarify When a Token Ceases to Be a Security
Garlinghouse addressed the perceived rivalry between Bitcoin and XRP. He dismissed the idea of competition and said blockchain innovation is not a zero-sum game. He encouraged cooperation across chains to benefit the entire ecosystem.
Earlier, Garlinghouse donated the Skull of Satoshi to the Bitcoin community. Many praised the move, although some XRP supporters questioned its meaning. Still, the gesture aimed to bridge divides between the two communities.
XRP’s Technical Edge Highlighted
During a prior presentation to the IMF and Swiss National Bank, Garlinghouse argued that XRP is more efficient than Bitcoin. He said XRP is 1,000 times faster and more scalable. He also noted that XRP’s design addresses many of Bitcoin’s limitations.
Related article: Ripple Transfers 1B XRP and Locks 700M in Escrow as May 2025 Release Remains Pending
Garlinghouse explained that XRP’s primary focus is on banks and financial services. He promoted XRP’s on-demand liquidity feature as a solution to pre-funding issues in cross-border payments. He believes this makes XRP a faster, cheaper option for international transfers.
Despite efforts to unify both camps, Garlinghouse’s remarks reignited debate. Bitcoin advocates pointed to its decentralization and widespread adoption as clear advantages. However, Ripple continues to push XRP as the more practical solution for global finance.
