XRP News Today: Ripple's CTO Exits Daily Ops, Board Ensures XRP Ledger's Strategic Continuity

Ripple's Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, announced on September 30, 2025, that he will step down from his executive role at the end of the year after 13 years with the company. Schwartz, a co-architect of the XRP Ledger, will transition to a board member role and assume the title of CTO Emeritus, allowing him to retain strategic influence while reducing daily operational responsibilities. In a public post on X, he cited family commitments and a desire to revisit personal hobbies as key reasons for the transition, emphasizing his continued dedication to the XRP community. "I'm not going away from the XRP community. You haven't seen the last of me (now, or ever)," Schwartz wrote, noting he has already been experimenting with independent XRP Ledger (XRPL) node research and exploring new use cases outside Ripple's core business Ripple CTO David Schwartz to Exit Role By Year-End, Stay On As …^[1].

Schwartz joined Ripple in 2011 as a cryptographer and was promoted to CTO in 2018. His technical leadership was instrumental in developing the XRP Ledger, a blockchain designed for fast, low-cost cross-border payments. Over his tenure, he became a vocal advocate for the ledger's decentralized design, countering misconceptions about Ripple's control over the network. "The XRP Ledger has been running since 2012 with a global set of validators, most of them not affiliated with Ripple at all," he clarified in an August interview with Decrypt . His departure marks the end of an era for Ripple, coinciding with the resolution of its landmark legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The SEC's 2020 lawsuit, which alleged Ripple raised $1.3 billion by selling XRP as an unregistered security, concluded in August 2025 with a court-approved settlement. This outcome, viewed as a pivotal moment for the crypto industry, has positioned Ripple to navigate a post-litigation landscape with greater regulatory clarity. CEO Brad Garlinghouse praised Schwartz as a "true OG in crypto" and highlighted his ongoing role on the board as critical to maintaining the company's long-term vision. "Their regular check-ins will continue, ensuring his expertise remains part of Ripple's strategic direction," Garlinghouse added in a social media post Ripple CTO David Schwartz to Exit Role By Year-End, Stay On As …^[1].

To fill the leadership vacuum, Ripple has appointed Dennis Jarosch, senior vice president of engineering, to oversee technical operations. Jarosch, a key figure in Ripple's engineering team, will lead the development of the XRP Ledger and its expanding applications, including tokenized assets and institutional stablecoins. Schwartz expressed confidence in Jarosch and the next generation of leaders, stating, "I have total confidence in the next generation of leaders and builders... who will carry the torch" Ripple CTO David Schwartz Steps Back, Remains on Board as Emeritus^[6]. This transition underscores Ripple's commitment to maintaining technical innovation while ensuring operational continuity.

The market reaction to Schwartz's announcement was mixed. XRP's price initially surged 1.4% to $2.87 in the hours following the news, according to Nansen data David Schwartz to Step Back as Ripple CTO, Be Named CTO …^[7], but later retreated to $2.84, reflecting a 1.5% decline by October 1 Ripple CTO David Schwartz to Exit Role By Year-End, Stay On As …^[1]. Analysts attributed the volatility to broader crypto market trends rather than the leadership change itself. Despite the short-term price fluctuations, Ripple remains focused on expanding the XRP Ledger's utility beyond payments, with Schwartz's emphasis on tokenization and enterprise-grade solutions aligning with the company's strategic priorities.

Schwartz's departure and transition to the board signal a strategic shift for Ripple, balancing the need for fresh leadership with the retention of institutional knowledge. His continued involvement, combined with Jarosch's operational expertise, positions the company to advance its mission of redefining global financial infrastructure. As Ripple navigates post-litigation growth, the XRP community and industry observers will watch closely to see how the leadership transition shapes the platform's evolution in the coming years.