Ripple CTO David Schwartz to Step Down After 13 Years, Joins Board Instead

TLDR:

• Ripple CTO David Schwartz confirmed he will step down at year-end, ending 13 years in the role.
• Schwartz, also known as JoelKatz, will stay active as Ripple Board Member and CTO Emeritus.
• He plans to spend time with family while continuing XRPL coding and research outside Ripple.
• Schwartz credited Ripple leaders and XRPL developers while naming Dennis Jarosch as a next-gen leader.

It was a personal message that carried weight across the crypto community. Ripple’s long-serving Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, known widely as JoelKatz, announced plans to step down from his daily role. 

The decision comes after more than a decade of shaping the XRP Ledger and leading engineering efforts at Ripple. His exit from the executive seat will mark the end of an era at the company. Yet, he confirmed that his journey with Ripple is far from over.

In a statement shared on his official X account, Schwartz explained the move as a step back, not a departure. He emphasized gratitude toward colleagues and highlighted the importance of continuing to support Ripple and the XRP Ledger community. 

The announcement carried both a sense of closure and a promise of ongoing involvement.

Ripple CTO Role and Transition to Ripple Board

Schwartz said he would officially leave his position as Chief Technology Officer at the end of the year. He noted that the shift would allow him to dedicate more time to personal life and family. Ripple confirmed that he will not be leaving the company entirely but will remain involved as CTO Emeritus.

As part of his transition, Schwartz was invited by Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen to join the company’s Board of Directors. He accepted the role, which will keep him close to Ripple’s long-term vision. The move ensures his voice will remain part of strategic decisions even as daily leadership passes on.

He also named Dennis Jarosch, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Engineering, among those positioned to take leadership forward. Schwartz expressed confidence in the next generation of Ripple engineers and developers. His message pointed to stability in the technical direction of the company despite his exit from the daily role.

Focus on XRPL, Crypto Projects, and Personal Time

In his announcement, Schwartz reflected on his early career, including consulting for the NSA and later joining Ripple’s founding team. He explained that his decision will open up time for renewed exploration of XRP Ledger technology outside formal company work.

He shared that he has already been running his own XRPL node and experimenting with new use cases for XRP. Beyond corporate duties, Schwartz plans to return to hobbies and personal coding projects. He made clear that his passion for blockchain development will continue to drive him.

His message also thanked Ripple leadership, including Brad Garlinghouse and Monica Long, alongside community members and developers. He credited them for keeping the ledger active and growing through the years. To the broader XRP community, he reassured that he will remain present at events and continue contributing.

The announcement marks a new chapter both for Schwartz and Ripple. The change reflects a shift in roles but not a complete exit from the company’s path.

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