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- Ripple CTO David Schwartz will step down but join the company’s board.
- RLUSD stablecoin nears $800M in market cap after major partnerships.
- XRP consolidates, with traders leaning bullish after recent rebound.
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Ripple Labs is preparing for a major leadership shift as longtime Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz steps down from his role by year-end. Schwartz, one of the original architects of the XRP Ledger, will remain deeply connected to the company as he joins Ripple’s Board of Directors.
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
A New Chapter for Schwartz
After more than 13 years shaping Ripple’s technology vision, Schwartz is moving to a role where he can influence strategy without being involved in daily operations. He confirmed he will continue exploring independent projects, such as running his own XRPL node and experimenting with alternative use cases for XRP.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse praised Schwartz’s contributions, calling him a “legend” in the XRP community. Schwartz, who was once even rumored to be Satoshi Nakamoto, leaves behind a legacy that has shaped both Ripple and the wider crypto ecosystem.
The smartest (and maybe the funniest) person I know. A true OG in crypto with the conviction and vision to see what others couldn’t – you are a legend. Thank you David for everything you’ve done for the industry, for Ripple and for the XRP Ledger. We are all forever grateful…… https://t.co/tt4uX4JlkV
— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) September 30, 2025
RLUSD Stablecoin Gains Momentum
While leadership changes dominated headlines, Ripple’s stablecoin RLUSD quietly marked another milestone. The token added nearly $50 million in circulation last week following a partnership with BlackRock and VanEck. RLUSD has also expanded into African markets via payment providers, pushing its market cap close to $800 million less than a year after launch.
This rapid adoption underscores Ripple’s push to establish a stronger footprint in the global payments market, with RLUSD emerging as a potential growth driver for XRP’s ecosystem.
XRP Price Action and Market Outlook
Following the announcement of Schwartz’s transition, XRP briefly dipped 1.2% but rebounded the next day with a 4% rally, partly fueled by Bitcoin’s surge during U.S. government shutdown concerns. The altcoin has been consolidating for months and may soon face a decisive breakout.
Also Read: Ripple CTO David Schwartz Steps Down After 13 Years—What This Means for XRP
Notably, Binance’s top trader data shows long positions on XRP rising from 67% to 70% in recent days, signaling growing optimism among market participants.
Schwartz’s move to Ripple’s board marks the end of an era, but his continued presence signals stability as the company leans into RLUSD’s rapid expansion. For XRP holders, momentum appears to be building—though whether it translates into a breakout or continued consolidation will depend on broader market forces.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
I’m your translator between the financial Old World and the new frontier of crypto. After a career demystifying economics and markets, I enjoy elucidating crypto – from investment risks to earth-shaking potential. Let’s explore!
