Ripple CTO David Schwartz Debunks the Misleading $3.84 XRP ATH Narrative

The discussion unfolded on social media as XRP enthusiasts questioned whether this price truly represented the token's all-time high (ATH) or if it was influenced by external factors.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz has addressed a widely debated topic regarding XRP’s peak price of $3.84 attained in January 2018. The discussion unfolded on social media as XRP enthusiasts questioned whether this price truly represented the token’s all-time high (ATH) or if it was influenced by external factors.

A discussion on X (formerly Twitter) was initiated by an XRP supporter who argued that $3.84 should not be considered the token’s authentic ATH. The user explained that the high price was inflated due to discrepancies caused by Korean exchange rates, which misled many into believing that $3.84 was the definitive value. Encouraging others to seek clarity, the user tagged Ripple CTO David Schwartz in the post for further insights.

Schwartz responded to confirm that $3.84 is “often reported as the all-time high” for XRP. However, he clarified that this figure does not accurately reflect the true market conditions. According to Schwartz, “you could not actually sell XRP for $3.84 nor did you have to pay $3.84 to buy it.”

That is often reported as the all-time high, but you could not actually sell XRP for $3.84 nor did you have to pay $3.84 to buy it. That number included inflated amounts due to the use of "official" currency exchange rates for Korean exchange rates.https://t.co/voMP2Mehsz

— David "JoelKatz" Schwartz (@JoelKatz) January 16, 2025

He attributed the misleading figure to the “Kimchi premium,” a term describing inflated prices caused by using “official” currency exchange rates for South Korean platforms. Schwartz provided a link explaining the phenomenon but refrained from detailing what he believes to be XRP’s accurate ATH.

The “Kimchi premium” refers to the price discrepancy often observed on South Korean cryptocurrency exchanges, where digital assets are traded at significantly higher values than on platforms in other countries. This premium arises from the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies, which allows them to be traded at varying prices depending on location and market demand.

The term “Kimchi” is derived from a popular South Korean dish made of fermented cabbage, symbolizing the country’s cultural significance in discussions around this premium. Such discrepancies have historically led to confusion when analyzing cryptocurrency prices on a global scale.

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As the cryptocurrency market gains momentum, XRP has experienced a substantial surge, climbing by 15% in the past 24 hours. The token briefly reached $3.37 before stabilizing at $3.23 at the time of writing. This price movement has fueled optimism among investors that XRP may retest its previous highs.

Market speculation surrounding regulatory developments in the United States has contributed to this upward trend. Rumors suggest that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may reassess its stance on certain ongoing cases involving cryptocurrencies following the departure of Chairman Gary Gensler.

The potential shift in regulatory focus has renewed hope among XRP supporters, who anticipate a more favorable environment for the token’s growth and adoption.

As the market evolves, XRP’s trajectory will depend on investor sentiment and regulatory clarity, which continues to shape the future of digital assets globally.

: 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.

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