A post recently went viral claiming that XRP was patented by the U.S. government in 2013. The tweet showed what looked like an official certificate with the U.S. seal, making many believe XRP had been “officially approved” as a payment method.
But here’s the reality 👇
📝 What the Document Really Is
The certificate is real, but it’s not a patent.
It’s a trademark registration filed in 2013 by Ripple’s early company name, OpenCoin, Inc.
The filing described XRP as providing “secure payment options” using both traditional currency and virtual currency.
👉 This shows Ripple’s early vision for XRP — a digital asset for secure, online payments.
✨ Why It Still Matters
The filing proves that Ripple had clear plans for XRP from the start: security, internet delivery, and use for payments.
It gave Ripple exclusive rights to the XRP name in financial services, protecting its brand legally.
Even 10+ years later, this vision lines up with XRP’s role in cross-border transfers and institutional settlements today.
⚖️ Trademark vs Patent — The Difference
Patent = protects an invention or process.
Trademark = protects a name, logo, or brand.
The XRP filing was a trademark, not a patent.
🚫 So, the U.S. government did not create, own, or endorse XRP as an official payment method.
✅ Ripple simply registered the XRP name for its financial services.
🔑 Bottom Line
This 2013 filing is historically important because it shows Ripple’s long-term vision for XRP as a payment tool. But it is not proof of U.S. government ownership or approval.
