- A Simpsons episode from 2020 (“Frinkcoin”) oddly mirrors today’s crypto debates, with Amelie linking it to XRP.
- Ripple’s long legal battle with the SEC ended in June 2025, clearing the way for institutional adoption.
- Speculation grows around a potential XRP ETF, signaling new liquidity and credibility for the asset.
Amelie’s latest post on X takes a playful but sharp look at an old Simpsons episode and today’s crypto markets. Back in 2020, the show aired “Frinkcoin,” where Professor Frink launched a digital currency that quickly exploded in value and made him ridiculously wealthy. What felt like parody at the time now reads a bit like foreshadowing, at least in Amelie’s eyes.
She argues that the episode wasn’t just satire, but a cultural mirror reflecting bigger shifts in money and power—shifts that XRP now finds itself right in the middle of. Fiction meets finance, and suddenly the lines don’t feel so far apart anymore.
From Cartoon Satire to Real-World Symbolism
The Simpsons has always had a knack for “predicting” trends, from tech gadgets to political moments. “Frinkcoin,” which aired in February 2020, presented crypto in a surprisingly detailed way, showing how fast adoption could ripple through society. While it was comedy, the story hinted at something bigger—digital money shaking up the system.
Amelie points out that the storyline now echoes XRP’s position in global finance. Institutional adoption of blockchain is accelerating, and the way the episode depicted sudden enthusiasm for digital assets feels oddly close to today’s debates about how XRP might fit into the future of payments and finance.
XRP’s Legal Battle Finally Put to Rest
Of course, XRP’s story hasn’t just been about hype or cultural parallels—it’s been tied up in one of crypto’s biggest legal battles. The U.S. SEC dragged Ripple Labs into court in 2020, claiming XRP was sold as an unregistered security. For years, the case created a shadow over the token.
But by June 2025, the saga was finally over. Judge Analisa Torres dismissed prior settlement talks and instead approved the withdrawal of all appeals. Ripple officially confirmed on June 27 that it dropped its counter-appeal, and the SEC did the same. With the case shut, XRP shook off one of its heaviest burdens, opening the door to institutional money that once stayed away.
Momentum Builds with ETF Speculation
With regulation fears fading, the spotlight has shifted to something new: ETFs. Asset managers are rumored to be drafting proposals for XRP spot ETFs, following the recent approvals for Bitcoin and Ethereum. If greenlit, such a product could open up fresh liquidity streams and give traditional investors a regulated way into XRP.
For an asset once haunted by lawsuits, the possibility of an ETF marks a turning point. It’s not just credibility on the line—it’s access to whole new waves of capital.
Where Culture and Capital Collide
Amelie’s point isn’t that The Simpsons “predicted” XRP’s rise—it’s that culture often sees change before institutions do. The Frinkcoin episode highlighted how excitement and innovation can spark massive shifts long before regulators or banks catch up.
XRP’s journey from courtroom battles to ETF speculation shows how stories, regulation, and markets can all collide to shape financial reality. Whether you see it as coincidence or a cultural warning, the parallels remind us that even satire can hint at the future.
With the SEC fight finally closed and institutional doors opening, XRP now stands at a crossroads where narrative meets fundamentals—just like a cartoon sketched out five years ago.
