Ripple’s Larsen Clarifies Funding of Bitcoin Code Campaign

Chris Larsen, co-founder of Ripple, clarified on May 28, 2025, that his personal funds exclusively financed the “Change the Code” campaign, not Ripple’s. This declaration distinguishes his individual environmental advocacy from Ripple’s corporate actions.

Chris Larsen is a key figure in the cryptocurrency industry, known for his environmental advocacy. In early 2023, he funded the “Change the Code” campaign to push Bitcoin towards sustainable energy alternatives. He publicly confirmed that Ripple had no involvement, which addresses community confusion.

The Bitcoin community, however, initially rejected the campaign’s premise to shift from proof-of-work. Skepticism persists among Bitcoin supporters, viewing the campaign as a move to promote Ripple’s native token, XRP, as more environmentally friendly.

Ripple’s distinction in funding underscores its corporate governance, separating private initiatives from official positions. Observers note that this individual action aligns with Larsen’s past environmental concerns about Bitcoin mining and energy use.

“In early 2023 when I funded the ‘Change the Code’ campaign, my goal was to see if there was a way to turn Bitcoin into an accelerator for direct air capture. The campaign didn’t work, and that’s ok! Note – Ripple did not fund this campaign.” — Chris Larsen, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Ripple.

Larsen’s statement also highlighted Bitcoin’s growing usage of renewable energy sources like nuclear and wind. This reflects improvements in Bitcoin’s energy profile, pointing to potential future energy efficiencies despite the campaign’s setbacks.

In conclusion, industry stakeholders are closely watching for any regulatory shifts driven by environmental concerns. Larsen’s initiative emphasizes the growing need within the crypto industry to balance innovation with sustainability.