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Chainlink Official Labeled XRP Ledger an Obsolete Chain

A public dispute has emerged between Chainlink and Ripple executives over network utility and transaction activity.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Data Centers

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A public dispute between Chainlink and Ripple executives has intensified, centered on conflicting assessments of the XRP Ledger's network utility and automated transaction volume. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Chainlink community liaison Zach Rynes publicly criticized the XRP Ledger, labeling it an obsolete ghost chain. Ripple CTO David Schwartz contested the claim, defending the network design and its high-volume automated use.

Why it matters

The exchange highlights growing friction regarding network utility and the role of automated activity in blockchain ecosystems. Rynes alleged that Ripple prioritizes private shareholders over token holders, a claim Schwartz rebutted by noting that low fees encourage automated processes.

Data analysis covering 5 billion transactions from 2013 to September 2026 revealed that 767 of the 793 high-volume August accounts were automated. The ledger currently holds roughly 1% of tokenized real-world assets and 0.01% of global stablecoin supply.

The players

Zach Rynes

He serves as a community liaison for Chainlink and initiated the public critique of the XRP Ledger.

David Schwartz

He is the CTO emeritus of Ripple and actively defends the design choices of the XRP Ledger.

The details

The conflict centers on how XRP Ledger is used, as data shows that automation dominates transaction volume. While Rynes pointed to these figures to characterize the network as a ghost chain, Schwartz argued that the low-fee structure is specifically designed to facilitate such automated, high-frequency utility.

Timeline

  1. The XRP Ledger was originally created by architects in 2011.

  2. Zach Rynes began publicly questioning Ripple escrow sales in March 2026.

  3. The price of LINK started a rally in June 2026.

  4. High-volume automated activity occurred on the ledger in August 2026.

  5. Public criticisms between Rynes and Schwartz took place in September 2026.

The Tech Race

This dispute reflects the ongoing competition between blockchain networks to demonstrate real-world utility beyond speculative trading. It highlights a shift where projects are increasingly judged by transaction data rather than just market capitalization or asset price.

Users and investors may see increased volatility in token prices as networks face greater scrutiny over actual transaction volume versus bot activity. Traders should note that the current ecosystem transparency remains focused on automated usage metrics rather than human retail engagement.

The takeaway

Blockchain users should carefully examine transaction composition when assessing the health of a network. Understanding the difference between automated utility and human-scale activity is essential for evaluating long-term project viability.

Further reading

For more information on the infrastructure supporting these platforms, visit Data Centers.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Startup Fortune.

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Do you trust the long-term utility of crypto projects that engage in public social media conflicts?