Patrick Bet-David Compared Bitcoin (BTC) and XRP, Evaluating Their Transaction Speed, Cost, Energy Usage, Adoption, and Potential Market Impact

Financial expert and host of PBD Podcast Patrick Bet-David recently compared Bitcoin and XRP, evaluating their transaction speed, cost, energy usage, adoption, and potential market impact.

Financial expert and host of PBD Podcast Patrick Bet-David recently compared Bitcoin and XRP, examining their transaction speed, cost, energy usage, adoption, and potential market impact.

His analysis, shared by Good Morning Crypto (@AbsGMCrypto) on X, highlights the distinctions between the two digital assets and raises questions about their future value.

Transaction Speed and Cost

According to Bet-David, transaction speed is a major differentiator. Bitcoin transactions take about ten minutes to confirm, while XRP transactions settle in three to five seconds. A well-respected crypto YouTuber recently slammed Bitcoin for its slow transaction speed.

This speed advantage makes XRP more efficient for real-time payments. Transaction costs also vary significantly. Bitcoin’s fees increase during periods of high congestion, but XRP maintains consistently low transaction costs.

This efficiency makes XRP attractive for cross-border payments and institutional use cases.

Use Case and Adoption

Bitcoin is primarily known as a store of value and a medium for peer-to-peer transactions, said Bet-David. In contrast, XRP is designed for cross-border payment systems, offering a solution for fast and cost-effective international transfers.

Despite XRP’s technological advantages, Bitcoin enjoys broader mainstream adoption. XRP, on the other hand, has a more niche institutional user base. However, XRP’s popularity is growing, and many believe it could soon replace SWIFT.

Pointing to the difference in the assets’ price performance, Bet-David highlighted Bitcoin’s resilience and ability to recover from market cycles.

Price History and Market Performance

Examining historical price trends is crucial for assessing each asset’s market growth. Bitcoin’s price has risen significantly over time, with Bet-David highlighting the trajectory leading to its all-time high above $100,000.

He noted that XRP has not maintained the same growth trajectory. The cryptocurrency hit its all-time high of $3.84 in early 2018, and its price performance remained poor until late 2024 when bullish momentum finally took over.

He also mentioned the ongoing legal battle between Ripple and the SEC, which has impacted XRP’s price. The lawsuit has created uncertainty regarding the digital asset’s regulatory status, affecting investor confidence.

However, he noted the departure of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, which marked the start of a shift in the SEC’s regulatory strategy.

Political and Regulatory Factors

A key point in Bet-David’s discussion was President Donald Trump’s recognition of the digital asset. He noted that in Trump’s Truth Social post announcing the crypto reserve, the president mentioned XRP before other cryptocurrencies, sparking speculation about its potential role in U.S. crypto policy.

Bet-David also noted that Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, has been engaging with industry leaders and policymakers. The possibility of a favorable regulatory outcome could influence the asset’s market position.

He added that he holds significantly more Bitcoin and Ethereum than XRP, but his comments suggest that he can’t deny the benefits of the digital asset.