Recently, a post by crypto enthusiast Amelie (@_Crypto_Barbie) went viral claiming that the United States patented XRP in 2013 and officially declared it a payment method. The tweet showed what looked like a government-issued certificate from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
At first glance, the seal and bold heading give the impression of a U.S. patent. But when you look deeper, the claim doesn’t hold up. The certificate is real, yet it’s not a patent and it doesn’t mean the U.S. government owns or endorses XRP
✨ What the Filing Actually Shows
The document is a service mark registration from December 31, 2013, filed by OpenCoin, Inc. (Ripple’s original name) earlier that year. The filing describes XRP as:
“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 makes it clear that from the very start, Ripple positioned XRP as a digital asset for secure payments. By registering the trademark, Ripple secured exclusive rights to the XRP name in financial services, protecting its brand as it built out its technology
✨ Why This 2013 Filing Still Matters
The registration doesn’t grant government ownership or policy approval. What it does show is Ripple’s early vision for XRP—cross-border payments, security, and compatibility with both fiat and crypto. Over a decade later, that focus remains central to XRP’s role in global settlements
✨ Patent vs. Trademark – The Key Difference
Patent → protects inventions or processes.
Trademark → protects names, words, or symbols in commerce.
This filing is a trademark, not a patent. Ripple indeed has patents for some of its tech, but this particular certificate only establishes its right to the XRP brand name—not that XRP was created, owned, or endorsed by the U.S. government.
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