XRP, the native cryptocurrency of Ripple, has been one of the most controversial and polarizing digital assets in the crypto market. While its supporters claim it’s a revolutionary payment solution for banks and financial institutions, skeptics argue that it’s overhyped, heavily centralized, and plagued by legal uncertainties.

One of the biggest issues with XRP is its ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Since 2020, the SEC has accused Ripple of selling XRP as an unregistered security, a case that has created uncertainty around the token’s future. While Ripple has secured some partial victories in court, the legal drama has made XRP a risky investment compared to other major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Another major criticism is XRP’s centralization. Unlike Bitcoin, which is decentralized and mined by a network of independent users, XRP is pre-mined, with Ripple Labs holding a significant portion of the total supply. This raises concerns about price manipulation and the company’s control over the asset. Many in the crypto community argue that this contradicts the principles of decentralization that blockchain technology is supposed to promote.

Price performance is another sticking point. Despite being in the market for over a decade, XRP has struggled to reach new all-time highs, unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum, which have consistently broken records. Even during bull markets, XRP has often lagged behind, frustrating investors who expected bigger gains.

Ultimately, while XRP still has a strong community and institutional partnerships, its legal troubles, centralization concerns, and underwhelming price action have led many to label it as overhyped. Unless Ripple can clear its legal issues and prove XRP’s long-term utility, it will continue to be a controversial asset in the crypto world.