Ripple's David Schwartz announces departure as CTO by end of year

Quick Take

• Schwartz, who was instrumental in coding the XRP ledger, the blockchain associated with Ripple, said he would be leaving at the end of this year.
• Although he’s leaving his post as CTO, Schwartz isn’t cutting ties completely.

Ripple's Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, announced his departure after more than a decade at the technology company.

Schwartz, who was instrumental in coding the ledger, the blockchain associated with Ripple, said he would be leaving at the end of this year, in a post on X on Tuesday.

"I’m really looking forward to spending more time with the kids and grandkids and going back to the hobbies I set aside," Schwartz said. "But be warned, I’m not going away from the XRP community. You haven’t seen the last of me (now, or ever)."

Although he's leaving his post as CTO, Schwartz isn't cutting ties completely. He revealed he will continue to be involved with Ripple by joining the company’s board of directors and occasionally stopping by the office.

Schwartz had spent over 13 years at Ripple, seven of those years as its CTO and more time as its chief cryptographer, according to his LinkedIn. Schwartz was at Ripple for several monumental moments for the firm, including when it launched a stablecoin in late 2024.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse called Schwartz a "true OG in crypto."

"I’m not taking our weekly check-ins off the calendar though… and am glad you won’t be far as you join the Ripple board, continuing to impart your deep crypto wisdom and guidance on what we’re building," Garlinghouse said in a post on X.