Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Crypto pundit Xaif has shared an aspect in which Vitalik Buterin admitted that XRP is ahead of Ethereum in. This comes as Ripple looks to dominate the payments industry using XRP, RLUSD, and the XRP Ledger. 

Vitalik Shares What Aspect XRP Leads Ethereum In

In an X post, Xaif shared a 2014 quote from Vitalik Buterin stating that Ripple, not Ethereum, is the Internet of Value. While Ethereum has focused on building a foundation for the decentralized financial system, Ripple has focused on building the Internet of Value using the Ledger, with XRP and RLUSD serving as important tools for this vision. 

Ethereum and Ripple have continued to reiterate their missions even as crypto continues to gain mainstream adoption. Earlier this year, Vitalik Buterin described Ethereum as the Linux of the decentralized world. He stated that they must ensure Ethereum serves as the financial home for individuals and organizations seeking greater autonomy. Buterin added that they must give people access to the power of the network without dependence on intermediaries. 

Meanwhile, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated in January that their two major acquisitions, Ripple Prime and GTreasury, greatly accelerate and expand their ability to deliver on their vision of enabling the Internet of Value. He added that the token has been and will continue to be the heartbeat of that vision. 

More recently, Garlinghouse described the token as Ripple’s “North Star,” which guides their mission and daily operations. Xaif also shared a video in which the Ripple CEO stated that they are 100% committed to making XRP the “most trusted, most useful, and most liquid digital asset on the planet.”

It is worth noting that XRP currently ranks as the fifth largest crypto by market cap, behind Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and BNB. The altcoin regained the third spot this year, just behind Ethereum, after beginning the year as one of the largest gainers, but it has since lost these gains amid the crypto market downtrend. 

The Ledger Behind Ethereum In This Regard

RWA.xyz data shows that the XRP Ledger is currently behind Ethereum in tokenization. The total tokenized value on Ethereum is $15.5 billion, while the Ledger has a total tokenized value of $1.9 billion. However, the Ledger has achieved greater growth over the last 30 days, with tokenized value rising 15%, while that on Ethereum has risen just over 10%. 

The Ledger has notably seen upgrades, such as the Permissioned DEX, which have contributed to tokenization growth on the network. The Permissioned DEX enables institutional investors to trade in a regulated environment. Ripple continues to partner with institutions to tokenize several funds on the network. Last month, the crypto firm partnered with U.K. giant Aviva Investors to develop tokenized versions of traditional funds.

The chief executive of pipeline builder Enbridge Inc. says he’s encouraged by how governments in both Canada and the United States are recognizing the need to build oil and gas projects more quickly.

“I’m completely enthused about it,” Greg Ebel told analysts on a conference call Friday to discuss the company’s latest financial results.

Energy infrastructure was a big theme during the Canadian federal election campaign, which delivered the Liberals a minority government on April 28.

Tariffs and annexation threats from U.S. President Donald Trump have brought the issue of Canadian economic sovereignty to the fore, spurring calls for pipelines enabling energy exports beyond the United States.

During the campaign, Liberal Leader Mark Carney promised to make Canada an “energy superpower” for both conventional and clean sources and to set up a federal major projects office that would ensure each project only has to undergo one review, with shorter timelines.

But big points of contention between Ottawa and the industry — the industrial carbon levy, emissions cap, West Coast tanker ban and environmental review legislation — linger.

The Conservatives promised to fulfil every item on the oil and gas industry’s wish list, set out in an open letter from 14 corporate leaders ahead of the campaign that urged the scrapping of contentious environmental policies.

“The fact that people are now talking about energy, energy infrastructure, getting stuff done — that’s just a marked change here in Canada,” said Ebel.

“I think the big question is, is that all campaign rhetoric or is that actually going to play out into actually permitting reform?,” he questioned, adding that he’s going to take Carney “at his word that he’s committed to building energy infrastructure in Canada.”

The Trump administration, meanwhile, has been pushing aggressively on oil and gas development, aiming to speed up permits for liquefied natural gas terminals and pipelines and opening up new areas for exploration.

Ebel said he and fellow industry leaders have not had the chance to sit down with the new prime minister yet, but when they do, the most urgent issues will be the legislative issues they’ve flagged, as well as efforts to include Indigenous communities in projects.

“Those things can be done very quickly with either a stroke of the pen or some legislation,” said Ebel.

1st quarter profits surge

Earlier Friday, Enbridge reported a first-quarter profit of $2.3 billion, up from $1.4 billion in the same quarter last year. That amounted to $1.04 per share for the quarter ended March 31 compared with a profit of 67 cents per share a year earlier.

On an adjusted basis, Enbridge says it earned $1.03 per share in its latest quarter, up from an adjusted profit of 92 cents per share in the first quarter of 2024.

Total operating revenue was $18.5 billion, up from $11.04 billion during the same period a year earlier.

Enbridge is continuing to grow its presence in the Permian basin in Texas. It said it…