Ripple’s former chief technology officer, David Schwartz, disclosed that his personal cryptocurrency holdings have been reduced dramatically over the past years. In a series of posts on X, Schwartz said his XRP balance fell from roughly 26 million tokens to about 3 million, his Bitcoin holdings dropped from around 1,500 BTC to a single BTC, and his Ethereum position declined from approximately 40,000 ETH to six ETH.
Gradual sales and tax reporting
Schwartz explained that the sales were executed gradually, not in a single transaction, as part of a personal strategy to lower financial risk. He reported selling about 2.5 million XRP in 2025, which generated an estimated $1.7 million in capital‑gains tax liability under IRS guidance for digital assets.
Investment philosophy
According to Schwartz, he and his wife adopted a practice of selling portions of their crypto positions whenever prices reached new all‑time highs. This approach allowed them to lock in profits while retaining some exposure to future market growth, prioritizing risk reduction over maximizing returns.
Market context
The disclosures came as XRP was trading near $1.06, amid broader market selling pressure. Analysts note that Schwartz’s gradual reductions differ from large, sudden token movements that can create immediate selling pressure, and the impact on market sentiment will depend on how investors interpret the information.
Distinction from Ripple’s corporate holdings
Schwartz’s personal holdings are separate from Ripple’s corporate XRP reserves, which remain substantial and are managed through an escrow system. The company’s token holdings are not directly tied to Schwartz’s individual investment decisions.
Outlook
While the revelations highlight that early industry participants may choose to scale back exposure, they do not constitute a definitive signal about the long‑term prospects of XRP, Bitcoin or Ethereum. Future price movements will continue to be influenced by broader market dynamics, institutional demand and blockchain adoption.
