Ripple CTO David Schwartz Net Worth: How It Differs From Chris Larsen's Fortune

gas_fee_therapist · 2026-02-16T09:11:28+00:00

David Schwartz, Ripple's CTO, chose a strategy of diversification over concentrating wealth in XRP, resulting in a net worth significantly lower than co-founder Chris Larsen's. His varied portfolio, including Bitcoin and altcoins, highlights the importance of risk management in the volatile crypto market.

gas_fee_therapist

2026-02-16 09:11:28

Abstract generation in progress

Despite his prominent role as Chief Technology Officer at Ripple, David Schwartz remains far from billionaire status—a position he deliberately chose through his personal investment strategy. His financial trajectory reveals a starkly different path from that of co-founder Chris Larsen, whose XRP holdings catapulted him to extraordinary wealth levels in 2018.

The Wealth Gap: Strategic Choices and Asset Allocation

The contrast between Schwartz and Larsen’s fortunes illustrates divergent investment philosophies within Ripple’s leadership. When Larsen’s net worth reached $54 billion in 2018 thanks to holding 9 billion XRP tokens, Schwartz took a markedly different approach. Rather than concentrating wealth in Ripple’s native token, he opted for a 2% equity stake in the company combined with compensation through salary. This deliberate diversification strategy shaped his long-term financial picture.

By 2019, Forbes valued Schwartz’s wealth at approximately $90 million—a substantial sum, but a fraction of what XRP concentration would have generated. In 2021, Schwartz himself disclosed that his net worth remained well below the $170 million threshold, further cementing his distance from billionaire wealth levels.

A Portfolio Beyond XRP: Balancing Risk and Growth

Schwartz’s asset composition extends well beyond Ripple equity. His diversified holdings include Bitcoin and various altcoins alongside his XRP exposure. However, he has been candid about the inherent risks: most of his personal wealth is tied to volatile assets that, despite delivering substantial returns over time, remain susceptible to market fluctuations. This admission reflects both his experience in the crypto space and a realistic assessment of digital asset exposure.

This portfolio strategy demonstrates that even tech leaders with insider knowledge of major crypto projects recognize the importance of risk management and asset diversification in the highly volatile digital currency landscape.

XRP-2,27%

BTC-0,36%

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.