Nikolas Sargeant
Serial entrepreneur Gary Cardone has unleashed a fierce critique against XRP, condemning the cryptocurrency's alleged willingness to partner with centralized authorities to maintain market relevance. His inflammatory comments emerge amid persistent speculation regarding potential European Central Bank integration of XRP Ledger technology into future digital euro infrastructure.
While the ECB has issued no official confirmation of any formal collaboration with Ripple or its underlying blockchain technology, rumors continue circulating throughout cryptocurrency communities. These unverified claims have sparked intense debate about the intersection of decentralized finance and traditional monetary systems.
Cardone Launches Scathing XRP Criticism
Cardone's social media commentary positioned XRP as opportunistic, claiming the digital asset "will take any path it needs to survive," including collaboration with what he termed "oppressive people." His particularly harsh criticism targeted ECB President Christine Lagarde, whom he dismissively labeled "Ms. Cringe," while accusing her of attempting to transform Europe into a "prison continent."
The investor escalated his rhetoric by comparing XRP's potential financial influence to a pandemic-level threat, characterizing it as "COVID-19 Part Two in finance." He warned that continued token support effectively constitutes endorsement of "European warmongers," framing XRP's institutional ambitions as fundamentally hostile to individual freedom rather than progressive financial innovation.
These provocative statements immediately triggered substantial backlash from XRP's dedicated community base, with supporters dismissing the remarks as inflammatory and lacking factual foundation. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between cryptocurrency purists advocating complete decentralization and pragmatists supporting institutional adoption strategies.
Robert Doyle, recognized online as Crypto Sensei, directly challenged Cardone's assertions by emphasizing the absence of "official confirmation" regarding Ripple technology deployment for digital euro development. He stressed that while the ECB continues exploring central bank digital currency options, no definitive technology platform decisions have been finalized.
Ripple has indeed cultivated relationships with various central banking institutions recently, including successful CBDC pilot implementations in Palau and Georgia. However, critics argue such partnerships fundamentally contradict cryptocurrency's foundational principles of decentralization and resistance to surveillance-enabled financial monitoring systems.
Conversely, Ripple advocates maintain that mainstream institutional adoption represents essential progress toward meaningful real-world cryptocurrency impact. "If we want crypto to scale, we need to work with institutions, not fight them," one community member observed, reflecting broader philosophical divisions within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
XRP Community Fires Back at Misinformation Claims
Cardone's controversial statements attracted sharp criticism from prominent cryptocurrency commentator Moon Lambo, who accused him of deliberately spreading misinformation. "Either Gary is gullible and fell for fake news or he's spreading it intentionally," he stated, highlighting the complete absence of official ECB statements confirming Ripple involvement.
Moon Lambo further diagnosed Cardone with "XRP Derangement Syndrome," suggesting he prioritizes narrative construction over factual accuracy to support predetermined worldviews. This accusation reflects growing frustration among XRP supporters who perceive persistent unfair criticism despite the project's technological achievements.
Legal expert Bill Morgan also entered the debate, noting fundamental contradictions in Cardone's arguments. He questioned how "a public, permissionless network like the XRP Ledger" could reasonably be accused of enabling authoritarian regimes, given its decentralized architecture and transparent operational framework.
Currently, the ECB maintains that digital euro launch remains contingent upon European Parliament approval, with no specific platform partnerships or technology selections officially announced. This regulatory uncertainty continues fueling speculation while providing ammunition for both supporters and critics of various cryptocurrency projects seeking institutional validation.
