News from Ripple reveals that the chairman, Chris Larsen, has applauded the significant progress of Bitcoin towards a more sustainable future. Larsen voiced his approval following Ripple’s donation of the “Skull of Satoshi” artwork during the 2025 Bitcoin conference. He emphasized that the gesture was a symbol of recognition for the strides made and an attempt to foster improved relations between the Bitcoin and Ripple communities.
As per sources on X, Larsen was the sole financier of the 2023 “Change the Code, Not the Climate” campaign. The six-figure funding went towards supporting the artwork of Canadian artist, Benjamin Von Wong, who advocated for Bitcoin to trade its energy-intensive proof-of-work system for a more eco-friendly alternative. Despite the campaign not achieving the desired outcome, Larsen appears optimistic about overcoming this obstacle and clarifies that Ripple did not contribute financially to the initiative.
Reports from the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance indicate that Bitcoin now sources approximately 50% of its power from renewable energy, encompassing wind, hydropower, and nuclear energy. Bitcoin miners have also harnessed waste gas projects, converting flared natural gas into fuel for their operations. This significant shift from five years ago demonstrates Bitcoin’s potential to enhance its environmental footprint without altering its code.
During the recent conference, Ripple officially presented the skull sculpture to the broader Bitcoin community. This act extends beyond mere symbolism—it signifies Ripple’s intent to alleviate the discord between XRP advocates and Bitcoin purists. The two factions have previously clashed over fees, transaction speed, and most recently, environmental impact. With this artwork donation, Ripple is extending an olive branch, encouraging open discourse over dispute.
Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, echoed this sentiment, urging unity amongst all crypto entities. He entreated regulators to establish more explicit regulations and industry insiders to prioritize serving the unbanked. Garlinghouse emphasized that XRP and Bitcoin enthusiasts share more similarities than differences and encouraged unity against external challenges such as stringent regulations and market skepticism.
Ripple’s recent actions may establish a precedent for future interactions between competing networks. It demonstrates that even staunch critics can find a middle ground, and that impactful art and innovative ideas can bridge divides.
