In a recent online discussion buzzing across X, Ripple CTO, David Schwartz, offered his expert opinion on Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and the XRP Ledger (XRPL). He specifically pointed out the technical advantages that XRPL’s transaction model holds when compared to Bitcoin’s.

Responding to a user on X who was drawing comparisons between the transaction systems of XRP Ledger, Bitcoin, and Ethereum, Schwartz shared, “It’s quite evident, in my view, that the technical design of XRPL’s transaction model gives it an edge over Bitcoin. When it comes to Ethereum, it presents a mix of pros and cons, making each platform better suited for different applications. Bitcoin’s dominance often comes down to simply being Bitcoin – its brand recognition – rather than any inherent technical superiority.”

Essentially, Schwartz’s statement suggests that while Bitcoin reigns supreme in the crypto market, its leading position is largely due to its status as a pioneer and strong brand identity, rather than necessarily possessing the most advanced technology.

Furthermore, the Ripple CTO weighed in on another related discussion on X, this time focusing on which cryptocurrency had “better tech” – Ethereum, Solana, or Bitcoin. Schwartz expressed his perspective, stating, “ETH and SOL clearly have more advanced tech than BTC, which is understandable given they were developed later. However, Bitcoin shouldn’t, and realistically can’t, try to overhaul its foundational layer. Bitcoin’s value proposition isn’t about having cutting-edge layer-one tech compared to other cryptocurrencies, nor should it be.”

XRP Ledger: Bridging the Gap

To put XRP Ledger’s place into context, Schwartz described it as sitting in the middle ground between Bitcoin and Ethereum in terms of both functionality and complexity. “XRPL occupies an interesting space,” he explained, “it captures some of the advantages found in Ethereum, like offering more complex features than Bitcoin, and shares some of Bitcoin’s strengths, such as hardware wallets having a clear understanding of transaction outcomes. However, it also inherits some drawbacks from both; for instance, it’s less feature-rich than Ethereum, yet more intricate than Bitcoin.”

Related

The Ripple CTO comments came as a response to a tweet by Pierre Rochard, VP of Research at Riot, who was discussing the differences between how Bitcoin and Ethereum handle transactions.

Bitcoin’s system uses a UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) model. This approach gives users precise control, allowing them to explicitly authorize the movement of specific funds from existing outputs to create new ones.

Ethereum, conversely, operates on an account-based model. This system blends straightforward fund transfers with the potential for highly sophisticated smart contract interactions. This complexity, while powerful, can make the user experience more prone to errors, especially when using hardware wallets. Interestingly, from a user-friendliness standpoint, Bitcoin’s simplicity offers a distinct advantage for hardware wallet users.