XRP Will Rise as Alleged Bitcoin–Epstein Links Spark Sell-Off: Pundit

A crypto pundit has sparked controversy with a provocative post linking Bitcoin to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein while simultaneously predicting a bullish outcome for $XRP.

The post, which quickly went viral on X, relied on unverified rumors to cast doubt on Bitcoin and positioned $XRP as a potential beneficiary of any resulting market uncertainty.

Key Points

• Controversy links Bitcoin to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein while forecasting a bullish outcome for $XRP.
• Morgan Ariel suggests that investors were selling Bitcoin after learning of its alleged ties to Epstein.
• She argued that capital rotation away from Bitcoin could benefit $XRP, positioning it as a potential market winner amid growing uncertainty.
• Epstein-related documents also referenced $XRP and Ripple.

$XRP Could Benefit From Bitcoin Sell-Off

In the post, crypto commentator Morgan Ariel labeled Bitcoin an “Epstein pedocoin,” citing viral claims that connect the asset to Epstein. These claims reference screenshots of emails and reports of Epstein’s documented donations to the MIT Digital Currency Initiative, which supported early Bitcoin developers.

Additionally, recently released Epstein files mentioned Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, prompting renewed speculation that Epstein may have been involved in the creation of BTC.

Building on these rumors, Ariel claimed that investors were selling Bitcoin after learning of its alleged ties to Epstein. She then asserted that $XRP would benefit, suggesting that capital rotation away from Bitcoin could drive $XRP higher.

Even without verified evidence linking Epstein to Bitcoin’s creation, the post reflects a broader narrative within the $XRP community. Supporters argue that skepticism toward Bitcoin—driven by slower transaction speeds and high energy consumption—could work in $XRP’s favor by highlighting it as a more efficient, utility-focused alternative.

Factors Behind the Bitcoin Sell-off

Her comments followed a sharp downturn across the broader crypto market. During the sell-off, Bitcoin fell to around $60,000, while $XRP also declined sharply, dropping to around $1.15.

However, despite Ariel’s assertions, analysts point to broader macro-driven forces behind the decline. Analysts largely attribute the sell-off to weakening risk sentiment, fueled by volatility in precious metals and a widespread drop in technology stocks.

As traders prioritized capital preservation, the pressure pushed crypto prices toward their November 2024 lows.

Notably, $XRP and Ripple also appeared in the Epstein documents, though under different circumstances. Previously reported excerpts show that Epstein learned about $XRP in its early stages and was advised by Blockstream co-founder Austin Hill not to invest in Ripple or Stellar, which he viewed as threats to the ecosystem he and others were building.

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