XRP's status in the Crypto Assets ecosystem has always been filled with controversy and variables. As a project that claims to be the "second in the encryption world," XRP has experienced a dramatic transition from peak to trough, and then to a resurgence.

During the peak of the bull market in 2017, XRP once surpassed Ethereum to become the second-largest crypto asset by market capitalization, with its founder Chris Larsen's wealth even being compared by the media to that of the founders of Google. However, the good times did not last long, as XRP subsequently experienced a severe price crash and was delisted by the mainstream exchange Coinbase, becoming an unpopular figure in the crypto industry.

However, after 2024, with changes in the political landscape of the United States and adjustments to Crypto Assets policies, XRP once again enters the public eye. After a years-long legal dispute with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ) comes to an end, XRP unexpectedly gets listed as "one of the digital asset reserves" by the new government, rekindling market interest.

The story of XRP's issuer, Ripple Labs, dates back to 2004. The original founder, Ryan Fugger, was a developer from Canada. He noticed that the traditional financial system was very unfriendly to cash income groups; even those with stable incomes and good credit found it difficult to obtain loans simply because they lacked bank statements. To address this issue, he proposed the innovative concept of "RipplePay," aimed at establishing a payment network based on social trust.

The development history of the Ripple project reflects the complexity and uncertainty of the Crypto Assets industry. From the initial concept of decentralized payments, to later becoming a highly controversial Crypto Asset, and then being recognized by governments as a reserve asset, XRP's experience is a microcosm of the history of Crypto Assets development.

Despite the numerous challenges and doubts that XRP still faces, its development trajectory undoubtedly provides us with a unique perspective to observe the evolution of the Crypto Assets ecosystem. As the global financial system continues to digitalize, the future role and influence of XRP remain worthy of ongoing attention.