Ripple ex-CTO David Schwartz revealed that XRP generated more personal wealth for him than any other cryptocurrency, even though he has steadily reduced his digital asset exposure over time.
Schwartz helped design the XRP Ledger before retiring from the chief technology officer role earlier this year. He shared the disclosure on X in response to a fan asking which token paid him the most.
XRP Outperformed Bitcoin and Ethereum for Schwartz
On X, Schwartz disclosed that he once held 26 million XRP. He also owned roughly 1,000 Bitcoin (BTC) and 40,000 Ethereum (ETH) tokens. He has cut each position sharply over the years.
His early XRP allocation as a Ripple co-founder still produced larger lifetime returns than his Bitcoin or Ethereum bets. XRP hit an all-time high of $3.65 in July 2025. The token trades near $1.46 today, ranking fourth by market value.
The prolonged climb gave Schwartz a multi-million dollar windfall. The size of his founding stake survived years of gradual selling.
Sold Ethereum at $1.05 and Bitcoin Too Early
Schwartz admitted that he sold his Ethereum holdings at roughly $1.05 per token. He has openly regretted the call ever since.
ETH has since traded thousands of dollars above that level. His Bitcoin position followed a similar pattern. He cut his BTC holdings from around 1,000 coins to fewer than one. The reduction happened well before Bitcoin reached six figures.
The pattern reflects the same instinct that has shaped most of his investing. Schwartz has previously described himself as risk-averse, preferring to lock in gains rather than wait for larger future moves.
A Self-Aware Paradox on Risk
Schwartz acknowledged a paradox in his thinking. Every major crypto bet he made worked out far better than he expected.
Yet he still struggles to embrace risk emotionally. Asked what he would tell a younger version of himself, Schwartz said he would advise taking more risk in crypto. However, he conceded that his younger self likely would have ignored the guidance anyway.
His current portfolio reflects that caution. Schwartz has said his remaining exposure sits almost entirely in XRP and Ripple equity. The company carries an estimated $40 billion private valuation.
The candor offers a rare look inside the mindset of one of the asset’s earliest architects. Whether long-term holders share his appetite for trimming exposure as XRP awaits its next leg higher remains an open question.
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