Ripple veteran David Schwartz officially transitions to CTO Emeritus role

Ripple veteran David Schwartz officially departed from the company’s executive leadership this week. The former technology officer also updated his title to “CTO Emeritus” on X and LinkedIn.

Schwartz directed the technical evolution of Ripple’s cross-border payment systems and managed its global engineering organization. The $XRP Ledger co-architect, who served as a core leader for more than a decade, will join the board of directors as his next official step.

“The time has come for me to step back from my day-to-day duties as Ripple CTO at the end of this year,” Schwartz said in a statement in October 2025, when he revealed his retirement plans. “I’m really looking forward to spending more time with the kids and grandkids and going back to the hobbies I set aside.”

In his October announcement, Schwartz also expressed gratitude to Ripple leadership, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse and President Monica Long, calling them “the very soul of Ripple itself.”

“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.

With Schwartz’s departure from daily operations, Dennis Jarosch, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Engineering, will take the lead in directing the company’s technology organization.

Schwartz has affirmed his continued commitment to the $XRP community as he begins his next chapter.

“Be warned, I’m not going away from the $XRP community. You haven’t seen the last of me,” he said.