An influential voice in the $XRPcommunity is calling for an exit as Ripple’s long-serving Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, announces his resignation.

In a heartfelt post, Schwartz revealedhe will step down from his day-to-day duties at the end of the year, after more than 13 years at Ripple. He reflected on his decades in blockchain, highlighting his role in co-creating the $XRPLedger and shaping Ripple’s technological direction.

Schwartz says it’s now time to move on. He expressed gratitude for the journey and contributions. In parallel, he shared his desire to spend more time with family and personal hobbies.

“Time to Sell $XRP”

Influential trader and early $XRPinvestor Crypto Bitlord seizedon the news to issue a “time to sell $XRP” warning.

Bitlord argued that Schwartz’s decision to step down comes at a critical time, as Ripple faces intensifying competition, particularly after SWIFT unveiledits own blockchain ledger in partnership with Consensys and over 30 global banks.

He claimed that Ripple’s lack of meaningful cash flow, beyond its $XRPsales to the public, exposes a fundamental weakness. According to him, Ripple’s reliance on retail dumping is fading, and Schwartz’s joining the board is more about preparing for a potential IPO than signaling growth for $XRPitself.

Investor Frustration

Bitlord, who once urged followersto “buy $XRPfor the love of God,” has grown increasingly vocal about his disappointment in the token. He lamented that, after more than a decade of holding, $XRPhas failed to reach life-changing price levels.

Recently, Bitlord warnedthat he would “sell every last cent” if $XRPever dropped back to $2, calling it proof of a failed investment. $XRP’s ongoing price stagnation, despite occasional surges, has led some holders to question whether it can still fulfill its promise. Meanwhile, many remain bullish, seeing heightened negative narratives as a bullish factor.

What Comes Next for $XRP?

The timing of Schwartz’s announcement coincides with SWIFT’s high-profile reveal of a blockchain-based shared ledger.

For years, Ripple positioned $XRPas a replacement for SWIFT’s global payment rails. But with SWIFT now integrating blockchain directly, the case for $XRPas a “SWIFT killer” becomes increasingly fragile.

Community commentators note that financial institutions are far more comfortable upgrading their existing systems than adopting $XRP, further weakening the long-standing argument that Ripple could dominate cross-border payments.

Meanwhile, Schwartz emphasized that his departure is a personal decision. He will remain involved with Ripple as a board member.

As for $XRP, Schwartz said he plans to stay active in the community, exploring new use cases for the $XRPLedger beyond Ripple’s current focus. He expressed a strong desire to return to hands-on development, coding, experimenting, and potentially launching new initiatives.

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 $XRPLedger. Now, I’ve spent more than 13 years…

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