Is Ripple Abandoning XRP? David Schwartz Weighs In

Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), David Schwartz, addresses a persistent misconception within the crypto community regarding the company’s potential move away from its affiliated token, XRP. 

This speculation has been making rounds in the XRP community in recent times. However, the rumor about Ripple abandoning XRP gained steam after an X user, Aspen Signals, called attention to a quote on Schwartz’s cover photo on the social media platform. 

The quote sheds light on a scrappy financial startup’s struggle against betrayal and corruption as they endeavor to roll out instant payments to the public. Since the move to challenge the status quo comes at a high cost, the startup was forced to choose between its vision and survival. 

Expectedly, the quote elicited reactions within the crypto community, with some members speculating that Ripple could be planning to abandon XRP.  

Is Ripple abandoning XRP???? Someone needs to explain this ASAP. pic.twitter.com/z74kYK2XgW

— Λspen Signals (@AspenSignals) June 7, 2024

Ripple CTO Reacts 

Interestingly, Schwartz stepped in to address the misconception before it became a major FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt). Reacting, Schwartz clarified that the quote did not describe a real-world event but rather served as a pitch for a fictional movie. 

Although the themes in the quote may resonate with real-world issues, such as corruption faced by startups in the payment sector, the Ripple CTO emphasized that the specific circumstances depicted in the controversial quote have not taken place in reality. 

It's just a fictional pitch for a fictional movie. The circumstances needed to make the pitch match reality haven't happened ……. yet.

— David "JoelKatz" Schwartz (@JoelKatz) June 7, 2024

This statement suggests no basis for comparing the hypothetical scenarios in the quote and Ripple’s current operations. Nonetheless, given Ripple’s commitment to launch a stablecoin later this year, Schwartz’s decision to address the growing misconception is imperative. 

Ripple Declares Support for XRP 

The rumors about Ripple potentially abandoning XRP have gained traction since the company introduced its stablecoin initiative. First, critics argued that Ripple intends to replace XRP with the upcoming stablecoin, particularly for cross-border settlements via ODL (now Ripple Payments). 

Additionally, they suggested that Ripple’s decision to exclude XRP from its Liquidity Hub solution indicates that the company could be moving away from the token. 

Responding to these speculations, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse asserted that the company remains fully committed to XRP and does not plan to abandon it.