Ripple/XRP in the Great Reset Conspiracy Theory: Comparative Analysis of Social Media in Poland and Slovenia

Abstract Conspiracy theories are attempts to explain important events, situations or their consequences as being guided by hidden powers, usually hostile towards ordinary people, originating from a secret agreement rather than emerging by coincidence. A particular increase in the popularity of conspiracy theories could be observed with the popularisation of the World Wide Web as an instrument of political and social communication, coupled with populist politics and growing distrust in institutions. The present study focuses on the escalating popularity of conspiracy theories, particularly the Great Reset conspiracy theory, which includes the idea of imposing tight control over the global economy with the popularisation of various virtual currencies, such as Ripple/XRP. The authors conclude that social media platforms, particularly those that provide anonymity, such as Telegram, play a crucial role in the dissemination of conspiracy theories, including the Great Reset conspiracy theory, while emphasising that social media with its universal global reach is also influenced by the political and social contexts of specific areas, which shape the nature of the conspiracies circulated.