VanEck Research Head Questions XRP’s Utility, Sparking Community Backlash
Matthew Sigel, director of research for digital assets at asset manager VanEck, stirred controversy by suggesting that XRP does not have meaningful utility. His comments drew quick pushback from the XRP community on social media and among some market participants who point to use cases like cross-border payments and settlement rails as evidence of value.
The exchange matters because VanEck is a visible institutional voice and such views can shape investor sentiment and narratives around adoption. The debate highlights ongoing questions about on-chain activity, real-world usage, and centralization versus decentralization that influence how regulators and institutions assess tokens. Traders and holders will be watching whether this critique affects demand or forces deeper scrutiny from market analysts and potential institutional backers.