Ripple Veteran David Schwartz Steps Into CTO Emeritus Role After 13 Years - What’s Next for XRP?

Ripple's tech architect transitions—again. After 13 years steering the ship, David Schwartz swaps the CTO title for 'Emeritus.' The move sparks immediate questions about XRP's next chapter.

From Code to Counsel

Schwartz isn't leaving. The shift to Emeritus means he'll advise rather than execute. It's a classic tech-founder move—step back from daily ops to focus on big-picture strategy. For Ripple, it signals a maturation phase, perhaps even a prelude to another major product push.

The 13-Year Legacy

Thirteen years in crypto is several lifetimes. Schwartz co-created the XRP Ledger consensus protocol. He survived the SEC lawsuit, market crashes, and endless 'XRP is dead' taunts. His tenure saw Ripple evolve from a payments concept to a regulated entity with global bank partnerships.

Why Now?

Timing is everything. The promotion comes as Ripple expands its custody and CBDC initiatives. Handing the CTO reins likely frees Schwartz to tackle regulatory innovation or new ledger tech—areas where his deep institutional knowledge is gold.

The Cynical Take

Let's be real—this is how tech firms gently phase out founders while still milking their credibility. Call it 'Emeritus,' call it 'Chief Visionary,' call it whatever. It's the corporate equivalent of moving your uncle's favorite chair to the den. He's still in the house, just not in your way.

One thing's certain: in an industry allergic to history, Schwartz's 13-year run is a rarity. His new role isn't an exit—it's a pivot. And for XRP holders, that pivot better translate to something more tangible than another fancy title.

TLDR

• David Schwartz has stepped down as Ripple CTO after more than 13 years in the role.
• Schwartz will continue with Ripple as a board member and CTO Emeritus.
• He co-designed the XRP Ledger with Ripple’s early founding team.
• Dennis Jarosch will now lead Ripple’s global technology organization.

After more than 13 years of shaping Ripple’s technology and co-creating the XRP Ledger, David Schwartz has officially stepped down as Chief Technology Officer. Transitioning to the honorary role of CTO Emeritus, Schwartz will now serve on Ripple’s board of directors. His departure from daily operations marks a major leadership shift at the company, while his continued presence ensures ongoing support for the XRP community and Ripple’s long-term vision.

Leadership Change Marks End of Schwartz’s Daily Executive Involvement

David Schwartz, a founding figure and long-serving Chief Technology Officer at Ripple, has officially transitioned to the role of CTO Emeritus. After more than 13 years helping lead Ripple’s technical strategy, Schwartz has stepped back from daily operations to focus on personal priorities.

Schwartz announced in October 2025 that he would step away from his executive responsibilities by the end of the year. He confirmed that he would continue to support Ripple in an advisory capacity and serve on its board of directors.

BREAKING: David Schwartz is stepping into a new role as CTO Emeritus at Ripple.

He’s being awarded an honorary title for everything he’s done for $XRP and @Ripple.pic.twitter.com/l1q1ediHRf

—𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕂𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕟(@KingKaranCrypto) January 2, 2026

“The time has come for me to step back from my day-to-day duties as Ripple CTO,” Schwartz said in his October statement. “I’m really looking forward to spending more time with the kids and grandkids and going back to the hobbies I set aside.”

CTO Role Passes to Dennis Jarosch

With Schwartz stepping aside, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Engineering, Dennis Jarosch, will now take over the company’s technology leadership. Jarosch has worked closely with Schwartz and other Ripple executives on various technology initiatives and infrastructure development.

Schwartz expressed confidence in the team taking over, mentioning the strength of Ripple’s leadership. He specifically thanked CEO Brad Garlinghouse and President Monica Long, referring to them as “the very soul of Ripple itself.”

Ripple has not announced any changes to its technology roadmap. However, Jarosch is expected to continue driving innovation and scaling Ripple’s cross-border payment technologies.

Continued Presence in the XRP Community

Though no longer in an executive role, Schwartz has reassured the XRP community that he remains committed to supporting its growth. In a public message, he stated, “Be warned, I’m not going away from the XRP community. You haven’t seen the last of me.”

Schwartz has used his social media platform to stay connected with users, developers, and blockchain professionals. He also confirmed that his final public speaking event as Ripple’s CTO took place on December 19, 2025.

During the event, Schwartz discussed the rising institutional interest in XRP, especially around exchange-traded funds (ETFs). He appeared alongside industry professionals Steven McClurg and Matt Hougan, discussing potential strategies for institutional exposure to XRP.

Career and Contributions at Ripple

Schwartz, known online as “JoelKatz,” was one of the original architects of the XRP Ledger. He worked alongside Ripple co-founders Arthur Britto, Jed McCaleb, and Chris Larsen to develop the blockchain infrastructure that supports XRP.

Over the years, Schwartz played a major role in building Ripple’s global engineering team and directing the company’s technical direction. He contributed to the design of consensus algorithms and native features like the decentralized exchange (DEX) on the XRP Ledger.

He also helped shape Ripple’s approach to regulatory compliance and enterprise adoption, helping position the XRP Ledger as a platform for cross-border payments and financial applications.

A New Chapter for Ripple’s Technology Team

Ripple’s transition in leadership marks the beginning of a new era for its technical organization. With Schwartz’s shift to a board-level role, the company aims to maintain stability while pursuing continued growth in blockchain payments and infrastructure.

David Schwartz’s MOVE to CTO Emeritus closes a long chapter in Ripple’s executive history, but his influence remains through the systems he helped build and the community he helped grow.