Ripple CTO to step back as David Schwartz joins board?

• Ripple CTO David Schwartz will step back from daily duties and join the board.
• Dennis Jarosch will lead the engineering team after the transition.
• XRP moved from $2.83 to $2.87 shortly after the announcement.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz said he will step back from daily work at Ripple at the end of this year after more than 13 years with the company. He joined in 2011 as a cryptographer and became chief technology officer in 2018, helping design the XRP Ledger used across the Ripple ecosystem. In a Tuesday post on X, he said he plans to spend more time with his family and return to hobbies, while staying active in the XRP community. He stressed that he is not leaving the scene, only reducing day-to-day responsibilities at the firm he helped shape.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz steps back at year-end

Ripple CTO David Schwartz confirmed a clear timeline: he will scale back his responsibilities and end daily duties at year-end, closing a long internal chapter that began in 2011. Across that period, he moved from cryptography work to the top technical role in 2018, while remaining recognized as one of the chief architects of the XRP Ledger. His message on X emphasized continuity with the community and a personal shift toward family and long-paused interests, not a break from the technology or the network he helped build.

Schwartz will remain part of Ripple with an honorary title, taking the role of chief technology officer emeritus and joining the company’s board of directors. That move keeps his influence inside formal governance while freeing him from operational load. It also sets up a line between strategic guidance and execution, which helps the company maintain stability during leadership changes. The arrangement preserves institutional memory and keeps a familiar voice in discussions that affect the XRP Ledger and its roadmap.

Ripple CTO transition and engineering leadership

Ripple CTO succession planning appears set. A Ripple spokesperson said senior vice president of engineering Dennis Jarosch will lead the engineering team going forward. Jarosch’s elevation signals a focus on continuity under an executive already embedded in core projects. His remit covers delivery, reliability, and security as the platform serves partners and developers who depend on consistent performance and clear upgrade paths. Public reactions followed quickly. CEO Brad Garlinghouse called Schwartz a “true OG in crypto” in a note on X, marking appreciation for long service and signaling support for the transition. That sentiment helps frame the shift as planned rather than abrupt. For the community, it shows that the new engineering lead will operate with backing from leadership and with input available from the outgoing Ripple CTO in his emeritus capacity.

Market reaction, XRP metrics, and ATH context

Shortly after the announcement, Nansen data showed XRP moving about 1.4%, rising to $2.87 from $2.83 within hours. The reaction was modest yet notable for a personnel update, suggesting traders read the change as orderly. It did not signal a structural break with existing plans or a sudden pivot in technical direction. The continued presence of the Ripple CTO as emeritus likely helped anchor sentiment and limit uncertainty. Context matters for price history. XRP set an all-time high above $3.50 in July and remains one of the largest crypto assets by circulation and usage. At roughly $172 billion in market capitalization, it sits near the top of the market and supports an active base of advocates often called the “XRP Army.” Liquidity across major venues and ongoing product integrations support that scale. A stable handoff from a long-time technical leader reduces risk of roadmap drift at a time when volumes and integrations need consistency.

Ripple’s political footprint and SEC case timeline

Ripple’s role extends beyond engineering work. It stands out in U.S. policy debates through support for Fairshake, a political action committee active in federal races. Together with Coinbase, Ripple contributed to media efforts that aimed to shape outcomes during the 2024 cycle. Total donations from Ripple to Fairshake reached about $70 million covering the 2024 election and the 2026 midterms. The effort placed the company among the most visible corporate voices seeking clearer digital asset rules.

Legal history also frames the current moment. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed its enforcement action against Ripple in December 2020 under then-Chair Jay Clayton. The case ended in March after the regulator dropped a key appeal, closing a central dispute that had hung over the company and its token for years. Garlinghouse later said on 60 Minutes that Fairshake might not exist without the SEC’s action against Ripple, linking political engagement to the regulatory fight. With that chapter closed, a leadership transition that keeps the Ripple CTO within the board aligns with a period focused on execution, partnerships, and measured policy involvement.

Conclusion

The announcement marks a planned change rather than a break in direction, with the Ripple CTO moving to an emeritus role and the board while Dennis Jarosch takes charge of engineering. XRP showed a brief move of about 1.4% from $2.83 to $2.87 after the news, which fits a read of continuity. The token crossed an all-time high above $3.50 in July, and Ripple remains a major player with a market cap near $172 billion and a visible policy footprint, including about $70 million in Fairshake support for 2024 and 2026. The SEC case filed in December 2020 ended in March, removing an overhang as leadership evolves and the company keeps building with the former Ripple CTO still close to decisions.

Disclaimer

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