Michael J. Casey Said ‘Game Over’ When Coinbase Delisted XRP, But XRP Survived and Returned

A resurfaced tweet from Michael J. Casey declaring “Game over” for XRP is drawing renewed attention across the crypto community.

At the time, the suspension sparked widespread concern that XRP could be permanently sidelined in the U.S. market. Casey, who previously served as chief content officer at CoinDesk and now chairs DAIS Global, shared a CoinDesk article about Coinbase’s decision with the comment, “Game over.”

Key Points

• Michael J. Casey once tweeted “Game over” after Coinbase delisted XRP following the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple.
• Meanwhile, a 2023 U.S. court ruled XRP is not a security on exchanges, leading Coinbase and others to relist it.
• Resurfaced emails involving Jeffrey Epstein and Casey sparked speculation about early industry challenges for XRP.
• Ripple’s CTO Emeritus, David Schwartz, called it an early crypto rivalry, not a conspiracy.

XRP Comeback After the SEC Battle

Despite the dire predictions, XRP did not fade away. In mid-2023, a U.S. federal court declared that XRP is not a security when sold on exchanges. Following that decision, Coinbase and several other major U.S. exchanges relisted XRP, restoring access for American traders.

The relisting marked a turning point for the asset, which had endured years of regulatory tension. The comeback became proof that the project had survived what some described as an “existential threat.”

Epstein Emails Resurface, Fuel Debate

Notably, these discussions emerged after emails linked to Jeffrey Epstein resurfaced online. One 2017 email exchange between Austin Hill and Epstein referenced “Michael Casey” in the context of potential project involvement.

The emails did not mention XRP directly. However, their resurfacing, combined with Casey’s past “Game over” comment, has fueled speculation among some XRP supporters that early industry dynamics may have played a role in XRP’s challenges.

“Grand Conspiracy”

Prominent XRP voices reacted strongly. Brad Kimes of Digital Perspectives suggested the situation resembled a “grand conspiracy.”

XRP YouTuber Zach Rector described it as a “coordinated effort” to suppress XRP, arguing that the community only ever sought a level playing field.

Earlier this month, David Schwartz, Ripple’s CTO Emeritus, also addressed the renewed Epstein-era claims. He rejected conspiracy theories, instead characterizing the issue as typical early crypto rivalry.

Meanwhile, Schwartz acknowledged that some industry figures may have made “misguided behind-the-scenes attempts” to undermine projects like Ripple and Stellar in their early days.

Did Early Hostility Hold XRP Back?

The renewed debate has prompted some members of the XRP Army to argue that early industry rivalries and regulatory battles slowed XRP’s growth. They believe its price, adoption, or market value might have been higher without those challenges.

While some believe there was coordinated opposition, Schwartz points to normal competitive tensions in crypto’s formative years rather than an organized conspiracy.

What remains clear is that, despite XRP’s delisting from major exchanges and its years-long legal battle, it continues to trade and remain active in the market, long after many predicted its demise. For supporters, that resilience speaks for itself.