Jed McCaleb’s 2014 departure from Ripple sparked rumors, however was probably a part of a method.
Ripple and Stellar had been by no means opponents, they’re complementary initiatives inside a worldwide fee plan.
Jed McCaleb’s exit coincided with Ripple’s growth into institutional finance and world fee methods.
Jed McCaleb’s departure from Ripple in 2014 has lengthy been the topic of hypothesis. Many believed it was the top of his involvement with the corporate, however what if it wasn’t a breakup? What if Jed’s cut up was a strategic transfer, a part of a much bigger plan to create a parallel blockchain system?
Ripple & Stellar: Break up That Wasn’t a Break up
Jed McCaleb, one in all Ripple’s co-founders, was key in designing XRP’s early framework. He helped construct XRP’s structure and contributed to Ripple’s preliminary success. After some disagreements, Jed McCaleb left Ripple in 2014 and rapidly began Stellar (XLM).
(1/🧵) Jed Didn’t Depart Ripple. He Was Assigned to Begin Stellar.
You had been informed it was all falling out.
However what if Jed McCaleb’s cut up wasn’t a breakup…
It was a deployment?
And what if XRP and XLM had been by no means rivals — however two arms of the identical world plan?
Let’s dive deep:
🧵 pic.twitter.com/0v53GExE3j— Stellar Rippler🚀 (@StellarNews007) April 26, 2025
Whereas many thought it was a breakup, the timing seems to be extra like a deliberate transfer. It occurred simply as Ripple was rising on the planet of massive finance and world fee methods.
Ultimately, if we have a look at the timing of Jed’s departure, it aligns completely with Ripple’s institutional growth, the rise of the ISO 20022 normal, and discussions by world monetary our bodies just like the IMF, the BIS, and the WEF about the way forward for funds.
This implies that Jed wasn’t leaving; he was deployed to launch the second half of a worldwide fee answer.
XRP and XLM: Complementary, Not Aggressive
Ripple’s XRP and Stellar’s XLM had been by no means rivals; they had been two components of the identical world plan. XRP focuses on bettering liquidity, enabling cross-border funds, and supporting central financial institution digital currencies (CBDCs) within the monetary business.
Then again, Stellar works on bringing blockchain know-how to underserved communities, humanitarian efforts, and retail stablecoin transactions.
Strategic Partnerships on Each Sides
Each Ripple and Stellar have quietly secured highly effective partnerships. Ripple works with main monetary establishments like Financial institution of America and SBI, supporting worldwide banking methods.
In the meantime, Stellar is carefully tied to humanitarian initiatives, with the United Nations utilizing it for blockchain-based assist and Franklin Templeton utilizing it for tokenizing belongings.
Jed McCaleb’s exit from Ripple wasn’t an accident; it was a part of a well-timed plan. As Ripple centered on the institutional aspect, McCaleb’s Stellar mission got down to convey the ability of blockchain to the folks.