David Schwartz, a prominent figure on Ripple‘s board and one of the pioneering architects of the XRP Ledger, has publicly responded to criticism about XRP’s weak price performance. Engaging with followers on the social media platform X, Schwartz acknowledged his influence on XRP’s valuation but emphasized that his impact is minimal.
XRP Price Decline Sparks Direct Engagement
The discourse ignited when a user questioned Schwartz on whether he played a role in XRP’s downturn. While the user claimed the criticism was well-founded, Schwartz openly addressed the grievance, admitting partial involvement but downplaying its significance.
“Can I honestly say I have nothing to do with XRP’s price? Probably not. But I can say my impact is very limited.”
According to CoinMarketCap data, XRP’s value has plummeted by approximately 50% over the past year. Despite intermittent increases, the broader trend remains downward. Similarly, Stellar, another crypto asset focused on payments, mirrored this price trajectory during the same period.
Schwartz, known for his long-standing technical leadership at Ripple, remains actively involved with the company. He continues to serve on Ripple’s board, reinforcing his ongoing commitment to the firm.
Confronting Criticism on Social Media
Schwartz also addressed recent attacks from certain X users who have engaged in tangential debates to target him. According to Schwartz, some accounts follow unrelated conversations to level accusations of fraud or critique his contributions to XRP.
Schwartz expressed that while he accepts honest criticism based on valid reasons, he is troubled by inappropriate discussions frequently interrupted with XRP backlash.
Consequently, Schwartz has decided to block these users, extending the measure to both critics and those who, out of context, post pro-XRP messages. He argues that postings made in inappropriate contexts disrupt productive discussions.
Maintaining Ties with Ripple
Although Schwartz stepped down from daily duties at Ripple at the end of 2025, he maintains a strong connection with the company. Earlier this month, he announced that he remains on Ripple’s board and holds the honorary title of CTO.
Schwartz further revealed that he convenes with his former team twice a month. This disclosure clarifies speculation regarding Schwartz’s detachment from Ripple, affirming his sustained involvement.
