Ripple Update: CTO Steps Down As XRP Gains SWIFT Access And Outpaces LINK

In a major Ripple update, CEO David Schwartz has stepped down from his duties at the company, but will be staying on as an advisor after spending more than a decade at the company.

He announced his decision on 30 September 2025 via a post on X, stating that he wants to spend more time with his family and get back to old hobbies.

“But be warned, I’m not going away from the XRP community. You haven’t seen the last of me (now, or ever),” he wrote.

Schwartz helped code the XRP XRP $2.94 3.13% XRP XRP Price $2.94 3.13% /24h Volume in 24h $5.75B Price 7d Learn more ledger and will still be involved with Ripple to some degree. He will join the board of directors and take on a new title, CTO Emeritus, so he can stay involved while focusing on personal projects.

As happens in one’s life, I’ve been taking stock of my last 40 years. It’s been a wild ride. I’ve gone from consulting for the NSA to watching the early stages of Bitcoin. Then, I met Arthur, Jed, and Chris and worked on coding the XRP Ledger. Now, I’ve spent more than 13 years…

— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) September 30, 2025

In his post on X, Schwartz explained that lately he has been running his own XRPL node and sharing data. Moreover, he has been working on new ideas for XRP beyond Ripple’s usual focus.

He stated that he is looking forward to spending more time coding and working with developers to create and experiment with applications beyond just payments.

“I’ll still be in and out of the Ripple office as CTO Emeritus, and as my last task at Ripple, Chris asked me to join Ripple’s Board of Directors to continue supporting the company’s mission and long-term vision, and I accept,” he said.

Ripple CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, shared his appreciation for Schwartz, calling him a “true OG in crypto with the conviction and vision to see what others couldn’t.”

The smartest (and maybe the funniest) person I know. A true OG in crypto with the conviction and vision to see what others couldn’t – you are a legend. Thank you David for everything you’ve done for the industry, for Ripple and for the XRP Ledger. We are all forever grateful…… https://t.co/tt4uX4JlkV

— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) September 30, 2025

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Former Ripple Dev Says XRP Is Worth 10x More Than LINK

A bout of tribal sparring broke out between crypto advocates on X when CoinRoutes founder Dave Weisberger asked why XRP is worth over 10 times more than Chainlink’s Chainlink LINK $22.26 4.04% Chainlink LINK Price $22.26 4.04% /24h Volume in 24h $931.30M Price 7d Learn more token despite LINK’s strong partnerships and clearer revenue models.

Weisberger, who owns both tokens, suggested that XRP’s valuation might be inflated and called its supporters delusional.

To be clear, I hold both. I simply think XRP bulls are delusional in their calls. That doesn’t mean it won’t outperform many traditional investments.

— Dave W (@daveweisberger1) September 29, 2025

In response, XRP advocates pointed out that XRP handles significantly more transaction volume and serves as a native asset on a Layer 1 blockchain, unlike LINK, which functions as a utility token for oracle services.

Further, they argued that XRP’s role in global financial infrastructure, including banks, CBDCs, and stablecoins, gives it a much larger market potential.

Former Ripple engineer Matt Hamilton weighed in on the subject, stating that the comparison was flawed to begin with since both XRP and LINK serve entirely different purposes. He explained XRP is a base-layer currency while LINK is middleware for data feeds.

Trying to compare their value is sort of meaningless. Link is a protocol, the XRP Ledger is an actual network. XRP is the native asset of that entire network. Link is just the token used within the link protocol.

— Matt Hamilton (@HammerToe) September 29, 2025

In the end, no one achieved a conclusive victory. The back and forth only highlighted that the different crypto heads like different things. Some like foundational blockchain assets that serve as core currencies for their own blockchains. Others prioritise tokens tied to revenue-generating infrastructure.

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Ripple Update: XRP Gains SWIFT Access Via Ripple’s Interledger Protocol

X banter aside, Ripple is diligently working in the background to connect its blockchain technology with traditional banking systems by linking its Interledger Protocol (ILP) to SWIFT, the global network banks use to send money across borders.

Ripple built the ILP to connect and update financial systems, helping them work together without needing a full rebuild. Unlike SWIFT, Ripple designed ILP for the digital age.

RIPPLE’S INTERLEDGER PROTOCOL PUSHES XRP ACROSS THE SWIFT NETWORK

The Interledger Protocol “synchronizes separate ledgers without creating a separate ledger.”

It operates like SWIFT, where “successful processing of a payment message results in contractual obligations to… https://t.co/oKBQot22PJ pic.twitter.com/uSFvLWeMMr

— SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) September 29, 2025

This move could significantly boost XRP’s appeal as a key tool for international payments. By making ILP compatible with SWIFT, Ripple is aiming to bring XRP into mainstream finance without replacing existing systems.

Ripple developed the ILP, fully understanding that the world is unlikely to move to a single payment system, instead focusing on making its technology flexible and widely usable.

ISO 20022, a global messaging standard, also supports this strategy and enables secure and smooth transactions.

In short, connecting legacy systems to the ILP will fast-track XRP’s mainstreaming through its increased mobility in the system.

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