Rewrite Image Source: Crypto News Flash
XRP Community Pushes Back Against Tyler Winklevoss Over Gemini Credit Card Promotion
– The XRP community has expressed strong opposition toward Gemini co-founder and CEO Tyler Winklevoss following his attempt to promote the Gemini Credit Card to XRP supporters.
– Their reaction stems from contentious remarks made by Winklevoss in 2020 as well as his recent comments opposing XRP’s inclusion in a proposed U.S. crypto strategic reserve.
XRP Rewards Credit Card Sparks Debate
Dom Kwok, co-founder of EasyA—a leading Web3 education app—recently launched a poll on X (formerly Twitter), gauging community interest in a credit card that provides XRP rewards. The response generated buzz within the crypto space, as users considered the benefits of earning XRP on everyday purchases.
Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by twins Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, quickly chimed in, pointing out it already offers such a product. With the Gemini Credit Card, users can earn up to 4% back on EV charging and gas, 3% on dining, 2% on groceries, and 1% on other purchases. Cardholders are able to choose which cryptocurrency they wish to earn rewards in—XRP among them.
Tyler Winklevoss’ Invite Met with Skepticism
Following the poll, Tyler Winklevoss posted a direct pitch to XRP supporters—commonly referred to as the “XRP Army”—encouraging them to apply for the Gemini Credit Card. However, his message was met with harsh backlash from long-time XRP holders who still recall his past criticisms.
Tensions date back to May 2020 when Winklevoss publicly dismissed certain XRP community members as “dumb trolls.” The comment came after some XRP advocates tagged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on X, requesting scrutiny of Ripple’s native token. Winklevoss accused them of harming their own cause by inviting regulatory scrutiny.
Despite this rocky history, Gemini made the decision to list XRP in August 2023 following Ripple’s critical legal victory against the SEC. A U.S. court ruled that XRP sold on secondary markets does not qualify as a security, paving the way for broader exchange support.
Community Calls Out “Hypocrisy”
XRP backers were quick to call out the irony of Winklevoss promoting a product to a group he once disparaged. One individual wrote, “Calling XRP holders dumb trolls and then trying to get them to use your credit card is as ironic as it gets.” Another echoed the sentiment, saying, “Hard pass on any of your products. Sincerely, The XRPArmy.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Winklevoss recently voiced opposition to including XRP, Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA) in a hypothetical U.S. government crypto reserve. While he acknowledged these cryptocurrencies as legitimate assets listed on Gemini, he argued they don’t meet the qualifications for strategic reserves.
“Only one digital asset in the world right now meets the bar, and that digital asset is Bitcoin,” Winklevoss stated, further straining relations with the XRP camp.
Ripple vs. SEC Nearing Resolution
Meanwhile, Ripple’s long-standing court battle with the SEC appears to be nearing its end. As previously reported by Crypto News Flash, both parties have withdrawn their remaining appeals, suggesting the case could close within the next 60 days.
Market Performance
At the time of publication, XRP is trading at $2.24, reflecting a 5.01% decrease in the past 24 hours and a 5.92% drop over the past week. Trading volume has also declined by 3.70%, now totaling $3.25 billion.
Stay tuned for more updates as the legal saga concludes and the XRP community continues to shape its relationship with major players in the crypto industry.
Controversial remarks from Gemini CEO
Tyler Winklevoss, co-founder of the Gemini cryptocurrency exchange, has once again found himself at odds with the XRP community—this time over a perceived shift in tone and allegiance. The controversy reignited when Winklevoss promoted the Gemini Credit Card to XRP holders on X (formerly Twitter), encouraging them to take advantage of the card’s crypto rewards system, which includes XRP as an option. While the offer may seem like a nod of respect to the XRP ecosystem, many in the community saw it as opportunistic, especially given Winklevoss’ previous criticisms of both the token and its supporters.
The tension dates back to May 2020, when Winklevoss publicly referred to certain XRP proponents as “dumb trolls” after they tagged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in tweets about Ripple’s legal situation. At the time, he accused them of inviting unnecessary regulatory scrutiny on their own project, a move he saw as counterproductive. These comments left a lasting impression on the XRP Army—an especially vocal and loyal faction of the crypto world known for defending the token and its parent company, Ripple, against external criticism.
Fast forward to 2023, and Gemini’s decision to list XRP following Ripple’s partial legal victory against the SEC was seen by many as a tactical move rather than a genuine show of support. A U.S. judge had ruled that XRP sales on secondary markets did not constitute securities transactions, creating a legal opening for exchanges to relist the token. Gemini seized the moment, adding XRP to its platform in August 2023. But for many XRP holders, the listing felt like too little, too late—especially from a CEO who had been vocally dismissive of the project during its most vulnerable moments.
More recently, Winklevoss stirred further controversy by speaking out against including XRP in a hypothetical U.S. crypto reserve, a concept floated by industry thought leaders as a way to future-proof the nation’s digital asset strategy. While acknowledging that XRP is a legitimate asset listed on Gemini, Winklevoss reiterated his belief that only Bitcoin meets the criteria necessary for such a strategic designation. He lumped XRP together with Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA), suggesting that none of them had the technological or economic foundation to serve as a national crypto reserve asset.
This stance struck a nerve with XRP supporters, who have long argued that the token’s real-world use cases—especially in cross-border payments—make it uniquely suited for institutional and governmental applications. Ripple’s partnerships with financial institutions and central banks around the world have only strengthened this belief. By dismissing XRP in the context of a national reserve, Winklevoss appeared to undermine the asset’s long-term potential in the eyes of its most dedicated advocates.
The backlash wasn’t just emotional—it was also strategic. Many XRP advocates pointed out that Gemini’s recent embrace of XRP comes across as disingenuous, especially given Winklevoss’ earlier comments. Critics argue that Gemini is now trying to profit from the very community it once disparaged, using product promotions like the Gemini Credit Card to tap into XRP’s large and passionate user base. This perceived flip-flopping has sparked a broader conversation about authenticity and accountability in the crypto industry, particularly among exchange leaders whose statements carry significant weight.
In an industry where community trust is a valuable currency, Winklevoss’ remarks—both past and present—have created a rift that may not be easily repaired. For XRP investors and enthusiasts, the episode serves as a reminder that reputations are hard-won and easily lost, especially in a space where decentralization and transparency are core values. And for Gemini, it raises questions about how far brand loyalty can be stretched before it snaps.
XRP community’s swift response
The XRP Army wasted no time mobilizing in response to Tyler Winklevoss’ outreach. What may have been intended as a simple promotional tweet quickly spiraled into a full-blown community revolt. Within hours, social media platforms—particularly X—were flooded with screenshots, quote tweets, and memes calling out what many saw as a tone-deaf attempt to capitalize on a community that had long been marginalized by Winklevoss himself.
For many XRP holders, the issue wasn’t just about the promotion of a credit card—it was about principle. The community has weathered years of regulatory uncertainty, media skepticism, and market volatility, often relying on internal solidarity to push through turbulent times. When Winklevoss, a figure who had previously dismissed the XRP ecosystem, suddenly extended an olive branch in the form of a product pitch, it felt more like a cash grab than a reconciliation.
Responses from prominent XRP influencers and analysts underscored the depth of the resentment. Crypto YouTuber and XRP advocate “Digital Asset Investor” called the move “a masterclass in misreading your audience,” while others highlighted the timing as particularly suspect. After Gemini listed XRP only after it became legally safer to do so, Winklevoss’ credit card pitch felt to many like opportunism—pure and simple.
- Community Loyalty: The XRP community is known for its unwavering loyalty. Attempts to court them without acknowledging past missteps are rarely forgiven—or forgotten.
- Perceived Opportunism: Many saw the timing of the Gemini Card pitch as a calculated move to monetize XRP’s recent resurgence in popularity post-SEC ruling.
- Demand for Accountability: Several community members called for a public apology or clarification from Winklevoss, stating that trust must be earned, not assumed.
Adding to the tension was the fact that Winklevoss has continued to downplay XRP’s relevance on the national and institutional stage. His recent dismissal of XRP as a potential candidate for a U.S. crypto reserve asset directly contradicts the narrative XRP supporters have built over the years—one centered around utility, scalability, and global adoption. Ripple’s work with central banks and financial institutions, including pilot CBDC programs and cross-border remittance corridors, has been a cornerstone of XRP’s value proposition. To ignore that is, in the eyes of the XRP Army, to ignore reality.
Even more telling was the community’s refusal to let the issue slide. Instead of allowing the controversy to fade, XRP holders began compiling receipts—screenshots of past tweets, interviews, and public statements—to remind others of Winklevoss’ previous stance. The narrative quickly shifted from credit card perks to credibility deficits, and Gemini found itself at the center of a reputational storm.
Interestingly, some users pointed out a deeper irony: while Winklevoss was eager to promote a financial product tied to XRP, he still hadn’t acknowledged the token’s broader market role. XRP isn’t just speculative—it’s designed for real-world utility, particularly in remittances and institutional settlements. For a crypto exchange CEO to overlook that while trying to profit from the token’s popularity struck many as disingenuous.
The episode has become a textbook case of what not to do when engaging with crypto communities. In a decentralized landscape where narratives and reputations are shaped as much by sentiment as by fundamentals, authenticity is everything. And for the XRP community—who’ve fought uphill battles for years—any perceived slight is not easily forgiven, especially when it comes from someone now seeking their business.
Social media erupts with criticism
As the controversy gained momentum, social media platforms became ground zero for the XRP community’s collective outrage. X (formerly Twitter) was ablaze with hashtags like #XRPArmy and #GeminiGate, as users voiced their frustration, sarcasm, and skepticism in equal measure. The backlash wasn’t just loud—it was organized, relentless, and razor-sharp.
Prominent XRP influencers, some with hundreds of thousands of followers, began reposting Tyler Winklevoss’ past comments alongside his latest promotional tweet. The juxtaposition was damning. “From ‘dumb trolls’ to ‘dear customers’—we see you,” one user quipped, earning thousands of likes and retweets. Others turned the moment into viral memes, casting Winklevoss as a fair-weather friend trying to cash in on a community he once belittled.
Crypto analyst and XRP holder @LedgerLoyalist wrote, “You can’t slam the door on us in 2020 and expect us to welcome you in 2024 with open arms just because you brought a credit card. That’s not how loyalty works.” The sentiment was echoed by dozens of other key opinion leaders, who urged their followers to remain vigilant and not be swayed by “shiny perks and hollow apologies.”
Some of the most biting criticism came from developers and long-time XRP ecosystem contributors. They emphasized that Gemini’s recent support of XRP, though welcome in a technical sense, lacked the sincerity and transparency the community expects from industry leaders. “If you didn’t believe in us when regulators were breathing down our necks, don’t expect us to believe in your products now,” said one developer affiliated with an XRP Ledger-based project.
Even XRP-centric subreddits and Telegram groups lit up with discussion threads dissecting Winklevoss’ motives. While a few users acknowledged that Gemini’s credit card could be a useful tool for earning crypto rewards, the overwhelming consensus was that trust—and by extension, user adoption—had to be earned through genuine engagement, not marketing gimmicks.
- Memetic Warfare: The XRP Army turned to humor and memes to amplify their message, often using viral formats to highlight Winklevoss’ contradictions.
- Influencer Amplification: High-profile XRP influencers significantly boosted engagement, ensuring that the backlash reached far beyond niche corners of the crypto world.
- Historical Receipts: Users resurfaced archived tweets and interviews to hold Winklevoss accountable for past statements, reinforcing the community’s long memory.
The irony wasn’t lost on anyone: in a space that preaches decentralization and community empowerment, a centralized figure attempting to rebrand himself as an ally—without acknowledging prior missteps—was bound to face scrutiny. What could have been a simple product announcement became a full-blown PR crisis, one that highlighted the growing power of crypto communities to shape narratives in real time.
And while Gemini itself remained mostly silent amid the uproar, the damage was already done. Social sentiment tools showed a sharp drop in positive mentions of Gemini among XRP-related accounts. Analytics firm LunarCrush reported a 47% increase in negative keywords associated with “Gemini” and “XRP” within 48 hours of Winklevoss’ tweet. The platform’s engagement score—a measure of how well a brand is resonating with its audience—plummeted in XRP circles.
Ultimately, the incident served as a stark reminder that in the world of crypto, reputations are built on more than just product offerings. They’re built on consistency, community engagement, and credibility. And as the XRP Army made abundantly clear, they’re not afraid to call out those who fail to meet that standard—especially when the blockchain receipts are just a scroll away.
Potential impact on Gemini’s reputation
For Gemini, a platform that has long positioned itself as a regulated, forward-thinking exchange catering to both institutional and retail investors, the fallout from Tyler Winklevoss’ misstep is more than just a social media blip—it’s a branding nightmare. In a digital economy where community sentiment can sway user behavior and influence trading volumes, the backlash from the XRP Army threatens to erode trust among one of crypto’s most dedicated user bases.
Gemini has historically prided itself on compliance, transparency, and user-centric innovation. However, the perceived opportunism in Winklevoss’ outreach has cast a shadow over these pillars. The XRP community’s response suggests a fundamental disconnect between Gemini’s leadership and the grassroots ethos of many crypto holders—especially those who have endured regulatory battles and market skepticism without institutional backing. By underestimating the XRP Army’s long memory and passion, Gemini risks alienating a segment of the market that values loyalty and authenticity over product perks.
The reputational impact is already being felt in several key areas:
- Brand Sentiment: Social listening tools indicate a significant drop in Gemini’s sentiment score among XRP-related conversations. With hashtags like #GeminiGate trending, the exchange is increasingly being associated with opportunism rather than innovation.
- User Trust: For many XRP investors, trust is hard-earned and easily lost. Gemini’s attempt to court the community without addressing past criticisms is being interpreted as tone-deaf, if not outright manipulative.
- Market Positioning: Gemini has struggled to differentiate itself in a crowded exchange landscape. With Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken all offering robust XRP trading options, Gemini’s credibility hit could further reduce its competitive edge.
In the long term, this episode could influence how other communities perceive Gemini’s outreach efforts. Crypto users are increasingly savvy and socially connected; they expect platforms to engage with integrity, not just when it’s convenient or profitable. The XRP incident serves as a cautionary tale—not just for Gemini, but for any exchange looking to tap into community-driven ecosystems without doing the groundwork of relationship-building.
Moreover, institutional partners and regulators are watching. Gemini’s reputation as a compliant and community-conscious exchange is part of what makes it attractive to traditional finance players. A public dispute with one of the most engaged communities in crypto could raise questions about the exchange’s leadership judgment and long-term strategy—especially at a time when regulatory clarity is still evolving in the U.S. and abroad.
To mitigate the damage, Gemini may need to do more than issue a carefully worded statement. Meaningful engagement—perhaps even a public acknowledgment of past missteps or a transparent dialogue with XRP developers and thought leaders—could help rebuild bridges. But the road to redemption won’t be paved with cashback perks alone. It will require consistent, values-aligned action that speaks louder than marketing campaigns.
In a space where the community is king, Gemini’s experience with the XRP Army is a vivid reminder that crypto is not just about code and coins—it’s about culture. And culture, once alienated, is hard to win back.