The news of Ripple CTO David Schwartz stepping back from his active role has left parts of the XRP community unsettled.
For some, it raised concerns about the company’s direction and the token’s future. However, crypto analyst Ripple Van Winkle believes the development should be viewed differently.
In a recent video, he suggested that Schwartz’s move is not a warning sign, but rather an indication that XRP is entering a new phase—one where institutional adoption begins to take center stage.
#XRP HOLDERS DONT LOSE YOUR BAGS !!!
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— Ripple Bull Winkle | Crypto Researcher
From Builders to Institutions
Van Winkle drew a comparison between Schwartz’s decision and Satoshi Nakamoto’s disappearance once Bitcoin had gained unstoppable momentum. He stated that “builders leave when the foundation is finished,” implying that XRP may have reached a point where its underlying infrastructure no longer needs constant building.
According to his analysis, the technology is already mature enough to scale globally, and this is where major financial institutions are expected to step in.
He pointed to the lineup for this year’s Ripple Swell conference, which, for the first time, will feature some of the largest asset management firms in the world. Among them are BlackRock, VanEck, and Fidelity — institutions with trillions of dollars in combined assets.
Van Winkle argued that this level of participation from traditional finance is far from a sign of weakness. Instead, he called it a “handoff,” where the original builders make way for major players who can integrate the technology into global financial systems.
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A Strategic Transition
Schwartz’s departure from daily operations has naturally fueled speculation, but Ripple has clarified that he will continue to serve in an advisory capacity. This shift, according to observers, aligns with Ripple’s ongoing evolution from a company focused on development to one focused on global partnerships and implementation.
Van Winkle’s perspective reinforces this notion — suggesting that the XRP Ledger’s maturity now allows it to be scaled by institutions, not just innovators.
The timing also aligns with Ripple’s broader institutional engagement. Recent reports indicate a growing collaboration between Ripple and established financial entities, with a focus on exploring tokenized assets and liquidity solutions. Analysts view the participation of BlackRock and Fidelity at Swell as part of this larger move toward bridging traditional finance with blockchain‑based settlement systems.
The Message to XRP Holders
Van Winkle’s message to XRP holders was clear: do not lose confidence. His comments suggested that what some perceive as uncertainty may in fact mark the beginning of a critical transition point. The idea is that XRP no longer requires constant technical innovation from its original architects, but institutional integration from those capable of global deployment.
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