Raoul Pal Says He’s Been Long XRP For 4 Years After Calling It A “Moron” Trade

[Ben Graham]

Raoul Pal, a macro investor, former Goldman Sachs strategist, and founder of Real Vision, has revealed that he has been holding XRP for over four years after he referred to the digital asset as part of what he once described as a “moron trade.” The label, not meant as an insult, was a way to tell a specific retail trading behavior in early crypto market cycles. Soon after, he disclosed that he bought XRP in 2021 when it was trading at $0.60. 

Raoul Pal Clears XRP “Moron Trade” Comment

In a recent interview, Pal outlined his views on how retail investors enter the crypto market and how the nominal price of a token can influence their buying decisions. He breaks the space into three risk categories: large, established layer-1 tokens he called “idiot-proof,” a more challenging middle tier of DeFi tokens, and a straightforward momentum play he described as the “moron trade.” Pal stressed that the phrase was not an attack on holders but a description of what happens when newcomers avoid higher-priced coins and buy cheaper ones without deeper analysis.

Following the comment, Pal quickly clarified his position on XRP. He revealed that he had held the asset since June 28, 2021. The price was just below the market price, which hovered around $0.64. Sharing the exact date and entry point reflects his commitment to transparency, as he highlights that investors can keep their market views separate from how they invest.

Four Years Of Holding XRP And A Strong Payoff

Holding XRP for a multi-year span has become a highly profitable move for Pal. At the time of writing, XRP trades at around $3.15, representing an approximate 5.5x gain from its $0.60 entry. The price appreciation is driven by improved regulatory clarity, growing whale accumulation, and bullish technical patterns, with metrics such as rising open interest in XRP futures and positive on-chain indicators like MVRV golden crosses reinforcing the rally.

Pal’s decision to hold through four years of market ups and downs, including a long stretch of legal uncertainty with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, points to a conviction level beyond short-term speculation.

The significance of his position extends beyond profits to the message it conveys to the crypto market. By staying invested during volatile cycles, Pal has shown that XRP can be seen as a viable long-term asset when bought at what later proves to be an opportunistic price. His early entry came well before XRP’s major rally phases, making it a textbook example of patient capital allocation.

To the XRP community, Pal’s disclosure feels like validation. It shows that discipline and vision can pay off in a fast-moving market while also strengthening XRP’s case as a strategic investment now standing on firmer ground as the bullish trend continues.