In a groundbreaking thread shared by crypto analyst Edo Farina, a compelling case is made that challenges the conventional origin story of blockchain technology. According to Farina, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) may have existed before Bitcoin, with technical infrastructure and domain activity dating back to 2007, well before Bitcoin’s genesis block was mined on January 3, 2009.
XRPL.org Was Active Before Bitcoin’s Genesis
The domain XRPL.org, which today serves as the core documentation site for the XRP Ledger, was live as early as January 2007, hosted at the IP address 64.20.43.107. This is a critical revelation, suggesting XRP’s foundational codebase was already in motion two years before Satoshi Nakamoto launched Bitcoin.
More intriguing is the fact that several other crypto-related domains were also hosted on the same IP address during that period. These include:
RippleTrade.com — September 2006
Bitcoin.com — March 2007
CraigWright.net — March 2007
Smsz.net — linked to Mark Karpeles of Mt. Gox— Sept 2006
The shared hosting footprint suggests early collaboration or at least a shared technical infrastructure among key actors in the early crypto space, long before Bitcoin officially debuted.
🧵 XRP's Code Was Written Before Bitcoin — A Must-Read Thread
1. https://t.co/Wf6oBRkS3Q was live in January 2007.
Hosting records show the domain was linked to the IP address 64.20.43.107, two years before Bitcoin’s Genesis Block was mined by "Satoshi" on Jan 3, 2009.2. That… pic.twitter.com/HemkRJq0R4
— EDO FARINA 🅧 XRP (@edward_farina) July 8, 2025
Ripple’s History Didn’t Begin in 2012
While many attribute Ripple’s start to 2012 when Chris Larsen and Jed McCaleb rebranded it as OpenCoin, the company’s roots go much deeper. In 2004, developer Ryan Fugger launched RipplePay, a decentralized online payment protocol designed to allow individuals to create and exchange credit without relying on banks.
That platform laid the philosophical and technical groundwork for what would become the XRP Ledger, an energy-efficient, scalable blockchain that uses a consensus protocol instead of Bitcoin’s energy-intensive proof-of-work.
The Trademark Trail and Ripple’s Intel Links
Farina also draws attention to Ripple Communications, one of Ripple Labs’ 13 federally registered trademarks. Unlike the others, Ripple Communications was registered in 1991, indicating the brand’s institutional presence predates the blockchain revolution by decades.
We are on twitter, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1
— TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) July 15, 2023
But what makes this especially significant is Ripple Communications’ direct engagement with the U.S. intelligence community. In a 2012 post, Darcy Kohn from Ripple Communications is cited as having contacted the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA), ODNI, and other U.S. agencies to solicit participation in tech showcases.
The relationship between Ripple Communications and the national security community is further evidenced by Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg, who served as Director of Marketing for Ripple Communications and is now President of INSA.
XRP Was Always Bigger Than Bitcoin
This deeper historical context paints XRP not as an alternative to Bitcoin, but as a parallel and possibly preparatory effort to shape the future of digital finance. XRP’s foundational work appears to have begun well before Bitcoin, supported by long-standing technological, legal, and even governmental ties.
Edo Farina’s investigation reshapes the timeline and invites a reconsideration of XRP’s role in the broader crypto ecosystem. Far from being a reaction to Bitcoin, XRP may have been designed to surpass it.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Telegram, and Google News
