Bitcoin 2025 Conference: From Ripple’s Gift to Peter Schiff’s Speech

The Bitcoin Conference, held from May 27 to 29 in Las Vegas, was full of discussions, announcements, and keynote speeches. Not only Bitcoin supporters but also skeptics like Peter Schiff were among the attendees.

The Trump administration had an active presence at the event. Vice President JD Vance took the stage to speak against aggressive crypto regulations. He emphasized the urgent need for clear rules, stating that crypto and particularly Bitcoin is now part of the U.S. mainstream economy.

In addition to pro-Bitcoin speeches, the conference featured other memorable moments, including Ripple’s surprise gift and Peter Schiff’s announcement about his role in BTC adoption.

Ripple’s Controversial Gift to Bitcoiners 

During Bitcoin 2025, Ripple donated a massive sculpture called the Skull of Satoshi to the Bitcoin community. The Skull, created by Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong in 2023, is 11 feet tall with laser eyes featuring the Bitcoin logo. The sculpture will be placed in the Bitcoin Museum in Nashville.

Commenting on the gift, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said that although the sculpture was originally built to draw attention to the Bitcoin network’s energy usage, today it stands as a symbol of resilience.

Garlinghouse added that the gesture was meant to remind people that BTC, XRP, and other communities have more in common than often assumed. However, it sparked mixed reactions.

Matthew Sigel, head of digital assets research at VanEck, wrote:

Is that your apology for Ripple funding Greenpeace's anti-Bitcoin efforts? I'd prefer an apology to the ugly sculpture.

In a separate post, Ripple co-founder and executive chairman Chris Larsen clarified that he personally funded the “Change the Code” campaign in 2023, which aimed to reduce Bitcoin’s energy use, independently of Ripple. Larsen also noted Bitcoin’s energy progress, citing a 2025 Cambridge study showing that over 50% of its energy now comes from renewable sources.

Peter Schiff Takes Credit for Bitcoin Adoption

A well-known Bitcoin critic and gold advocate, Peter Schiff, said during Bitcoin 2025 that he has driven more people to buy Bitcoin by consistently advising against it. Schiff claims that, based on countless reactions, he, more than any other participant at the conference, is responsible for people buying Bitcoin. “Every time I tell you guys not to buy Bitcoin, they buy more,” he said.

Explaining why he remains against Bitcoin, Schiff restated his view that it has no real-world use. He said he has been advocating against Bitcoin investments for years and couldn’t imagine that so many people would find value in it.

In addition, Schiff called the Bitcoin community a “giant cult” at the biggest Bitcoin event. Based on YouTube reactions, Schiff’s speech was one of the most discussed. One user noted that debate is always healthy.