This Unearthed Ripple Document Causes Buzz Among XRP Army. Here's why

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A post by crypto proponent Amelie (@_Crypto_Barbie) recently circulated with the claim that the United States had patented XRP in 2013, declaring it a payment method for financial services. Her tweet captions an official-looking certificate from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

At first glance, the document’s seal and bold heading might give the impression of a government patent. However, the claim does not withstand scrutiny. The certificate in question is authentic, but it does not represent a patent, nor does it indicate government ownership of XRP.

Instead, it records a trademark registration made by Ripple in the early days, when it operated under the name OpenCoin. This filing is historically significant, but its meaning is different from what has been suggested online.

What the Filing Shows

The certificate is a service mark registration issued on December 31, 2013. It was filed in May of that year by OpenCoin, Inc., based in San Francisco. The description reads, “providing secure payment options to members of an online community via a global computer network through the use of traditional currency and virtual currency.”

This wording demonstrates that from the very beginning, Ripple positioned XRP as a digital asset designed to facilitate secure transactions. By filing for trademark protection, Ripple established exclusive rights to the XRP name in connection with financial services, ensuring brand recognition and legal safeguards as it developed its technology.

Why the 2013 Filing Still Matters

The registration does not grant government ownership, technical protection, or policy endorsement. It does, however, show how Ripple articulated XRP’s purpose at the outset. That scope remains consistent with XRP’s current positioning for cross-border value transfer and institutional settlement.

The language in the filing emphasizes security, internet delivery, and compatibility with both “traditional currency and virtual currency.” By setting these aims in a formal filing more than a decade ago, Ripple documented an early focus on utility in the payment sector.

The Distinction Between Patent and Trademark

A patent protects a specific invention or process, while a trademark protects words, names, or symbols that identify goods or services. The XRP filing is the latter. It is a legal acknowledgment of Ripple’s right to use the XRP name within its field, not a government endorsement.

Ripple has many patents. Some of these prove XRP’s efficiency in cross-border finance, among other advantages. However, this particular document has a different purpose. It does not imply that the U.S. government created or owns XRP, nor does it confirm XRP as an official national payment method.

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