- •Ripple’s CTO and XRP Ledger co-creator will transition out of day-to‑day duties at the end of 2025.
- •He plans to stay active in the XRP ecosystem, experimenting with XRPL projects, coding, and engaging with the community.
- •Schwartz expressed gratitude to Ripple and XRP supporters, voicing confidence in the next generation of builders.
David Schwartz, Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer and one of the original architects of the XRP Ledger, has announced he will step back from his day‑to‑day duties at the end of 2025.
In a heartfelt message, Schwartz reflected on his remarkable 40‑year journey, from consulting for the NSA to witnessing the dawn of Bitcoin and helping code the XRP Ledger alongside Arthur Britto, Jed McCaleb, and Chris Larsen.
Gratitude to Ripple and the XRP Community
In his statement, Schwartz expressed deep appreciation for Ripple, its leadership, and the global XRP community:
“I can’t begin to explain the depth of my gratitude to this company, the people who work here, and the community that surrounds XRPL. It’s been one of the greatest honors and experiences of my life, second only to my amazing family.”
As happens in one’s life, I’ve been taking stock of my last 40 years. It’s been a wild ride. I’ve gone from consulting for the NSA to watching the early stages of Bitcoin. Then, I met Arthur, Jed, and Chris and worked on coding the XRP Ledger. Now, I’ve spent more than 13 years…
— David ‘JoelKatz’ Schwartz (@JoelKatz) September 30, 2025
Instead, he plans to continue contributing as CTO Emeritus and has accepted an invitation from Chris Larsen to join Ripple’s Board of Directors, ensuring his influence remains in shaping Ripple’s long‑term vision.
“I’ll still be in and out of the Ripple office as CTO Emeritus,” Schwartz said, adding that he looks forward to staying active in XRP community events worldwide.
Returning to Hobbies and Hands‑On Development
Schwartz noted his excitement to spend more time with his children and grandchildren, while also returning to hobbies and side projects. Recently, he has been experimenting by running his own XRPL node, exploring alternative XRP use cases, and coding “for the pure love of it.”
He hinted that more announcements could follow soon about these personal projects, underscoring his desire to remain close to grassroots innovation within the XRPL ecosystem.
Confidence in the Next Generation
As he transitions roles, Schwartz voiced confidence in Ripple’s next wave of leaders and developers, specifically highlighting Dennis Jarosch, Ripple’s SVP of Engineering, alongside the broader XRPL community of builders.
“To the RippleX team, ledger developers, community members, builders, and everyone else — it’s been an honor being in the trenches with you all,” he said. “I have total confidence in the next generation of leaders and builders… who will carry the torch.”
A Legacy That Endures
David Schwartz’s move marks the end of an era at Ripple, but also the continuation of his influence on the company’s direction and the XRPL’s growth. As a board member and CTO Emeritus, he will remain a visible and guiding force within the XRP community.
For many XRP supporters, Schwartz’s legacy is defined not only by the technology he helped create but also by his unwavering commitment to the ideals of decentralization and innovation.