An official XRP account on X, formerly Twitter, was opened on Oct. 19, local time, prompting reactions from Ripple executives and the XRP community.

Blockchain outlet U.Today reported on Oct. 20 that Ripple President Monica Long stressed the role of developers who helped form the XRP ecosystem early on, as well as the community, shortly after the account was opened.

Monica Long wrote, "The best part has been watching people build on something before it was obvious. Welcome @xrp!" It was a remark highlighting the contributions of participants who kept developing before XRP drew attention.

The launch of the official XRP account comes about 14 years after the XRP Ledger, or XRPL, was launched. David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb and Arthur Britto began developing XRPL in 2011, and the network was released in June 2012. Against that backdrop, Ripple executives and the community are treating the release of the official account as '@XRP' on Oct. 19 as a symbolic milestone.

The account's first post carried the phrase "hello, world. It's about time." alongside a logo video. The post topped 260,000 views in about 1 hour and surpassed 4 million before 24 hours had passed. Ripple Chief Executive Brad Garlinghouse (브래드 갈링하우스) also reacted by calling it "a long time coming."

Indicators showing the size of the XRP ecosystem were also cited. According to XRP Scan tallies, the number of XRP addresses stands at 8,247,694. Market interest has focused on the launch of the social media account, but Ripple's message placed more weight on the developers and user base that have supported the network than on simple buzz.

Meanwhile, XRPL validator Hussein Zangana (후세인 잔가나), known as Vet, said users should be on guard against phishing that exploits the current situation. He said people should watch for cases in which vanity addresses and tokens are used to lure users into exchanging them for real XRP or RLUSD. He explained that users should treat information provided to them or shown on block explorers with suspicion and confirm legitimacy only when institutions or companies disclose it directly through official press channels.

The latest rise in interest in XRP has also highlighted the need for heightened security vigilance along with a stronger brand presence. The official account could amplify the community's ability to rally, but procedures for cross-checking information tied to real assets through official corporate and institutional channels are becoming more important.

The best part has been watching people build on something before it was obvious. Welcome @xrp!