David Schwartz, former chief technology officer at Ripple and a co-creator of the XRP Ledger (XRPL), addressed misconceptions about the key drivers of XRP’s price performance. Schwartz spoke out on X (formerly Twitter), countering claims that the role of XRP as the native gas token of the XRPL significantly affects the cryptocurrency’s value.
Dismissal of common XRP price myths
Schwartz stated that informed stakeholders rarely argue that using XRP for gas fees is a main influencer of the token’s price. He joined a growing online debate that has focused on the stagnating price performance of XRP, even as Ripple’s ecosystem has continued to expand.
“I don’t think anybody who knows anything has said that the use of XRP as gas will be a major driver of the price of XRP,” Schwartz wrote, emphasizing that adoption and value drivers are more nuanced outcomes of the ledger’s structure.
Highlighting an earlier post from November 2025, Schwartz elaborated on how widespread adoption of the XRP Ledger may boost the value of its native token, citing several intrinsic features.
The role of adoption and network utility
Schwartz argued that XRP’s privileged position within the ledger’s decentralized architecture is a more valid driver of long-term value. He points to XRP’s unique attributes, which include being jurisdictionless, minimizing counterparty risks, and enabling efficient autobridging within its network.
He suggested that a successful XRPL ecosystem would likely result in a substantial appreciation of XRP’s value, as the token would capture a significant share of network-wide growth. However, he noted that this perspective is rooted in network fundamentals rather than speculative factors such as gas usage.
Schwartz further maintained that the original vision for the XRP Ledger centered on delivering a fast and cost-effective payment network with a native digital asset and a built-in decentralized exchange, rather than specifically aiming to drive up the price of XRP.
Mini dictionary: Autobridging, a feature within the XRPL decentralized exchange, facilitates automatic bridging of trades using XRP, which provides deep liquidity between asset pairs and can reduce slippage on exchanges.
Market frustration and recent price trends
XRP has recently faced growing frustration among its holders due to ongoing price underperformance. As of Monday, XRP traded around $1.09, reflecting a decline of more than 12% over the past week, despite the blockchain’s continued development.
| Token | Current Price | 7-Day Change |
|---|---|---|
| XRP | $1.09 | -12% |
Schwartz acknowledged the limited effect he personally has on market movements, stating that while his role is visible, his direct influence on the price is minor. He said that broader adoption and technological progress will likely have a more material impact on XRP’s future value.
“Do I have anything to do with the price of XRP? Honestly? I guess probably not anything. But very little,” Schwartz commented in response to critics questioning his market impact.
