Fox Business Network Senior Correspondent Charles Gasparino has once again intensified his public feud with the XRP community, often dubbed the "XRP Army." In a series of acerbic posts on X, Gasparino has consistently targeted retail investors holding the XRP token, questioning their financial acumen and motives amidst the asset's recent price volatility.
Gasparino's Provocative Stance
Gasparino's core argument centers on the contentious claim that XRP retail investors are unwittingly serving as "exit liquidity" for Ripple executives, enabling them to profit while individual holders incur losses. He has frequently characterized the XRP community as a "cult of bagholders," employing dismissive language and specific taunts to underscore his point. For instance, he openly questioned how much Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and others profited from what he perceives as the investors' "idiocy." His jabs extend to prominent XRP influencers, whom he mocks for their perceived financial setbacks due to the token's performance. Despite accusations of bias from the XRP Army, Gasparino maintains his role is to act as a "reality checker."
XRP's Volatile Journey and Critics' Fuel
The renewed vitriol from Gasparino comes against the backdrop of XRP's fluctuating price action. While 2025 began with euphoria, seeing the token surge to an all-time high of approximately $3.65 in July following an SEC settlement, it has since experienced a significant downturn. By late 2025 and early 2026, XRP had shed nearly 45% of its value, languishing around the $2.00 mark. This "round-trip" price action has provided ample ammunition for Gasparino, allowing him to double down on his "bagholders" narrative and fuel his ongoing, often personal, sparring matches with community members.
