David Schwartz, one of the most recognizable names in the cryptocurrency world and a driving force behind Ripple Labs, has announced he will be stepping back from his day-to-day responsibilities at the blockchain firm.
In a post shared on X this week, Schwartz revealed that after more than 13 years at Ripple, he intends to transition out of his full-time role as chief technology officer by the end of 2025. He first joined the company in 2011 as a cryptographer before rising to CTO in 2018, and has since been credited as one of the principal architects of the XRP Ledger.
“The time has come for me to step back from my day‑to‑day duties as Ripple CTO at the end of this year,” Schwartz wrote.
“I’m looking forward to spending more time with my kids and grandkids, and going back to hobbies I set aside. But don’t worry—I’m not leaving the XRP community. You haven’t seen the last of me.”
Schwartz to Become CTO Emeritus, Joins Ripple Board
Although stepping back, Schwartz will not be severing ties with the company. He confirmed he will remain with Ripple as chief technology officer emeritus—an honorary role—while also joining Ripple’s board of directors. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse praised the move, calling Schwartz a “true OG in crypto” and emphasizing his lasting impact on both Ripple and the wider digital asset space.
A Ripple spokesperson added that Dennis Jarosch, Ripple’s senior vice president of engineering, will now lead the company’s technical team moving forward.
Ripple’s Expanding Role in Crypto and Politics
Ripple remains one of the most influential players in the cryptocurrency industry. XRP is currently the fourth‑largest token by market capitalization at around $172 billion, backed by a passionate community often referred to as the “XRP Army.”
Beyond technology, Ripple has also flexed political influence in the U.S. The company was one of the biggest contributors to Fairshake, a political action committee that spent heavily during the 2024 elections and is expected to play a role in the 2026 midterms. Ripple reportedly contributed around $70 million to the PAC, alongside Coinbase.
Garlinghouse has suggested Ripple’s political involvement was partly spurred by its lengthy battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC first filed its case against Ripple in 2020, but the regulator dropped a key appeal earlier this year, effectively bringing the high‑profile legal dispute to an end.