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@LongBullyStick vs. the XRP-Bitcoin Tether

Why XRP May Continue Bleeding, Gold and Silver Indicators, Epstein's Involvement and Why Congress Holds the Hammer


by Eric J. Kemnitzer


Crypto rarely breaks cleanly. It stretches… frays… and eventually snaps.


Right now, XRP remains tied to Bitcoin by an invisible liquidity tether, not because it belongs there, but because markets still treat “crypto” as one trade. That tether has little to do with Ripple’s real-world progress and everything to do with regulatory ambiguity and capital behavior.

This is the core argument echoed by @LongBullyStick:

A lot has to happen before we truly are decoupled. Ultimately it all comes down to utility adoption. Right now the MM's and algo's have us attached and there is not a damn thing we can do about it. However, massive utility adoption (with regulatory guidelines finally in place by the Clarity Act) -- is the final key to make that happen.

So let’s talk about why more downside may come first, why gold and silver are quietly signaling stress, how Bitcoin’s narrative is being tested, and why the "LongBullyStick" smashing through the XRP–BTC tether may be inevitable.



XRP’s Short-Term Reality: Still Dragged by Bitcoin


XRP’s recent price action isn’t a verdict on Ripple’s business. It’s a reflection of Bitcoin dominance and risk-off liquidity cycles.


When Bitcoin slows or chops:

  • Altcoins lose liquidity first

  • Correlations tighten

  • Fundamentals take a back seat


XRP still trades like an “alt” because the market has not been forced to price it differently yet. As long as XRP and Bitcoin live in the same regulatory fog, they move together, even if their use cases couldn’t be more different.


That’s the tether.


And this is where the LongBullyStick analogy fits perfectly: Price doesn’t break the rope, regulatory structure does.


Gold and Silver: The Macro Signal


Before capital rushes into risk, it usually hides. Remember kids, gold and silver don’t surge because investors feel confident. They move because something feels off. Historically, they front-run:


  • Monetary stress

  • Policy uncertainty

  • Shifts in capital trust


Right now, metals are acting like a system that’s bracing for impact even despite the recent price correction.

If this trend continues, the next crypto rotation is unlikely to be a “buy everything” moment. Instead, capital will become selective, favoring assets that offer:


  • Clear utility

  • Regulatory survivability

  • Integration into real financial rails


That environment doesn’t reward hype first. It rewards function.


Regulation Is the Hammer: The "LongBullyStick"


The upcoming wave of U.S. crypto legislation isn’t about excitement, it’s about forced differentiation. And that’s exactly what XRP needs.


Bitcoin and XRP serve fundamentally different roles:


  • Bitcoin

    • Store of value

    • Commodity-like asset

    • Macro hedge narrative


  • XRP

    • Payment rail

    • Settlement layer

    • Financial plumbing


As long as lawmakers haven’t drawn clear lines, markets lump them together. But once Congress:


  • Defines digital asset categories

  • Clarifies jurisdiction

  • Enables institutional use with legal certainty


The tether loses its purpose. That’s the moment the "LongBullyStick" comes down. Not on Bitcoin, but on the false equivalency between Bitcoin and XRP.



Epstein, Bitcoin, and the Psychology Shift


Now for the uncomfortable but necessary section, handled carefully because I could easily go down the rabbit hole that millions are embarking on right now, but I want to keep it to the markets.

The resurfacing of Epstein-related documents has reignited speculation across crypto social media, particularly around Bitcoin’s early ecosystem, exchanges, and regulators.

Let’s separate what’s documented from what’s being speculated.


What’s Verified

  • Epstein invested in Coinbase in 2014

  • Emails referencing crypto discussions exist


What’s Not Verified

  • Epstein influencing Bitcoin’s creation

  • Epstein shaping SEC enforcement

  • Epstein targeting Ripple or XRP


These claims remain unsubstantiated rumors....right?! But markets don’t require proof to feel uneasy. The resurfacing of these narratives feeds a broader psychological shift, questioning whether Bitcoin is still viewed as outsider money, or increasingly as institutionalized elitist power wrapped in a rebel narrative. And remember,  we are not asserting that Jeffrey Epstein and any business dealings with Coinbase, only that he invested in Coinbase in 2014.


I will say, given Jeffrey Epstein's connections to the most powerful people in the world, one can't imagine he didn't have deep contact and ties to crypto intelligence. Even despite emails and the infinite number of redactions, you'd have to be brainless not to at least go "hmmm, that's interesting..."


What It Takes to Smash the XRP–BTC Tether


This tether doesn’t break with excitement. It breaks with classification, adoption, and law.

XRP needs:


  • Congressional clarity on asset categories

  • Explicit separation from “crypto-as-a-blob”

  • Institutional payment usage at scale

  • Capital that values utility over mythology


When those pieces fall into place, XRP no longer needs Bitcoin’s price action as a reference point.

The tether simply… stops existing.


BFC Takeaway


Let me be crystal clear to close this out.


  • Bitcoin is here to stay. It has earned its place as digital scarcity and a macro asset.

  • XRP’s decoupling is inevitable, not because of hype, but because of regulation and infrastructure.

  • The only real variable is whether Congress can get its shit together fast enough!!!


Bitcoin doesn’t need to fall for XRP to rise. The rope just needs to snap.

And when it does, the "LongBullyStick" won’t be tapping politely.


Shoutout to @LongBullyStick for providing the inspiration for this articles unhinged yet oddly accurate visual metaphor. If you aren't following him on X, do it! Thanks for being a great friend and an awesome of member of the BFC, OTC, XRP and Visual/Audio Arts Community. Keep "Kicking-Ass!"


⚠️ Disclaimer
This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and reflects commentary, opinions, and public discussion within the crypto community. Nothing herein constitutes financial, legal, or investment advice. References to individuals, theories, or narratives are based on publicly available information and speculation and do not imply verified connections or wrongdoing. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve. Always do your own research. All Epstein-BTC references are for entertainment purposes ONLY! We do not assert that Jeffrey Epstein and any business dealings with coinbase, only that he invested in coinbase. Use your brain!!!
 
 
 

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