Ripple CTO David Schwartz to Step Down After 13 Years, Joins Board of Directors

Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, has announced that he will step down from his role at the end of the year after more than 13 years with the company. In a statement, Schwartz explained that the decision comes as he wishes to spend more time with his family and return to personal hobbies he had set aside. He described his journey at Ripple as “one of the greatest honors and experiences” of his life.

Schwartz has been a key figure in Ripple’s growth and technological direction since being appointed CTO in July 2018, succeeding Coil CEO Stefan Thomas and Ripple/Stellar co-founder Jed McCaleb. During his tenure, he became a prominent voice in the crypto community, guiding Ripple through years of innovation and regulatory challenges.

While he is stepping down from his day-to-day responsibilities, Schwartz confirmed he is not cutting ties with the company. Instead, he will join Ripple’s board of directors and continue to contribute as CTO Emeritus. He emphasized his commitment to staying engaged with the XRP community, noting, “I look forward to seeing the rest of you at XRP community events around the world.”

Ripple’s leadership responded with praise and gratitude. CEO Brad Garlinghouse called Schwartz “the smartest (and maybe the funniest) person” he knows and hailed him as a “legend” in the crypto space, even joking that Schwartz will now be his boss after joining the board. President Monica Long highlighted his impact on the XRP ecosystem, acknowledging his ingenuity, humor, and humility as essential to Ripple’s success.

Schwartz also expressed deep appreciation for Ripple’s co-founders Chris Larsen and Arthur Britto, as well as the RippleX team. His transition marks the end of an era but also ensures his continued influence on Ripple’s direction.

With Schwartz shifting roles, Ripple prepares for a new chapter while maintaining continuity with one of its most influential leaders.