David Schwartz, a co-founder and the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Ripple Labs, is stepping down from his active role at the end of the year. After more than 13 years with the company, Schwartz will join Ripple’s board of directors, taking on the title of "CTO Emeritus." This move signals a significant leadership change for the blockchain payments firm.
Schwartz shared the news on his X account, explaining his desire to spend more time with his family. He also plans to pick up hobbies he had put aside. His new position as CTO Emeritus means he will still be connected to Ripple, offering his expertise from the board. However, he will no longer manage daily operations. Schwartz expressed deep appreciation for the company and the XRP community. He called his time at Ripple one of the greatest honors and experiences of his career. He has become a key figure in the blockchain space, known for developing products and services.
Schwartz has served as CTO since July 2018. Before that, he held other technical leadership roles at Ripple. The CTO position was previously held by Stefan Thomas, now CEO of Coil, and before him, Jed McCaleb, a co-founder of both Ripple and Stellar. Schwartz’s more than 13-year tenure is quite long for an industry often marked by quick changes in leadership. The news caught the attention of the XRP community due to his long-standing influence and the many projects he led. Ripple did not share more operational details in its public announcement.
Leadership Weighs In
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse quickly responded to the announcement. He called Schwartz "the smartest (and perhaps funniest) person" he knows. Garlinghouse praised Schwartz’s ability to see opportunities others missed. He finished by calling him "a legend," highlighting his importance within and outside the company.
Garlinghouse also joked that with Schwartz on the board, "he will be my boss." This lighthearted comment points to the shift in roles while keeping Schwartz’s strategic power intact. The humor shows a sense of continuity and institutional respect. More importantly, it means leaving an operational role won’t lessen his voice in the company’s governance. This detail matters a lot to both internal teams and the wider developer community.
🚨 David Schwartz deja su cargo como CTO de Ripple
Tras más de 13 años, se unirá a la junta directiva como CTO Emeritus
Agradece a su equipo y a la comunidad XRP por su apoyo
Brad Garlinghouse y Monica Long destacan su legado e impacto en la empresa
La transición se da en… pic.twitter.com/kOTBT9BL6r
— Diario฿itcoin (@Blaze Trends)
Ripple President Monica Long also shared her thoughts on Schwartz’s impact. She stressed that the "powerful community" would not exist without his ongoing work. Long highlighted his wit, honesty, humor, and humility, qualities she said he shows every day. These words suggest an internal culture that values both technical skill and the human traits that bring teams together.
The leaders’ recognition indicates that this transition was carefully planned and announced well in advance. In times of change, such messages help reduce uncertainty and manage expectations. The CTO Emeritus title is also common in tech companies. It helps preserve institutional knowledge, offering a resource for strategic questions and critical product decisions.
What’s Next: Stability and Oversight
Schwartz’s move to the board creates a formal way for his experience to guide decisions. This strengthens corporate oversight with a technical mind who remembers past processes and real-world limits. In times of growth or changing regulations, this can be a real advantage. Ripple has not said anything about other structural changes beyond this move.
The question of who will lead the technical area day-to-day remains. The announcement did not include names or specific dates for a replacement. Usually, companies announce a new leader after internal handovers are complete. Meanwhile, the CTO Emeritus label ensures Schwartz is available for big-picture advice. This signals an orderly continuation rather than an abrupt break.
This approach prioritizes a personal exit and an institutional handover. The reactions from Garlinghouse and Long publicly confirm the smooth process. For those not closely following Ripple, the key point is that this is not a sudden departure. It’s a reordering of responsibilities. This detail helps to reduce speculation and builds trust.
In short, this news marks the end of one chapter and the start of another in Schwartz’s relationship with Ripple. The focus on gratitude, family, and community sets a calm and predictable tone. For the wider ecosystem, his continued presence on the board aims to keep the technical vision he helped create. This is the clearest message from both Schwartz and the company’s leadership.
Sources:
David Schwartz on X
Brad Garlinghouse on X
Monica Long on X