Ripple’s Power Move: CTO Transition as XRP Secures SWIFT Access, Leaving LINK in the Dust
Ripple's ecosystem just unleashed a triple-threat transformation that's sending shockwaves through crypto markets.
Leadership Evolution Meets Market Domination
While the CTO steps down during this pivotal moment, XRP's infrastructure continues expanding at breakneck speed. The SWIFT integration represents more than just another partnership—it's a direct assault on traditional finance's aging architecture.
Outperformance That Speaks Volumes
XRP's recent surge past LINK demonstrates where institutional money sees real utility. Forget speculative tokens—this is about actual banking integration that makes traditional wire transfers look like sending messages via carrier pigeon.
As legacy financial institutions scramble to understand blockchain, Ripple keeps building the bridges they'll eventually have to cross—whether they like it or not.
XRP
XRP
$2.94
3.13%XRP
XRP
Price
$2.94
3.13% /24h
Volume in 24h
$5.75B
Price 7d
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ledger and will still be involved with Ripple to some degree. He will join the board of directors and take on a new title, CTO Emeritus, so he can stay involved while focusing on personal projects.
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 XRP Ledger. Now, I’ve spent more than 13 years…
— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) September 30, 2025
In his post on X, Schwartz explained that lately he has been running his own XRPL node and sharing data. Moreover, he has been working on new ideas for XRP beyond Ripple’s usual focus.
He stated that he is looking forward to spending more time coding and working with developers to create and experiment with applications beyond just payments.
“I’ll still be in and out of the Ripple office as CTO Emeritus, and as my last task at Ripple, Chris asked me to join Ripple’s Board of Directors to continue supporting the company’s mission and long-term vision, and I accept,” he said.
Ripple CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, shared his appreciation for Schwartz, calling him a “true OG in crypto with the conviction and vision to see what others couldn’t.”
The smartest (and maybe the funniest) person I know. A true OG in crypto with the conviction and vision to see what others couldn’t – you are a legend. Thank you David for everything you’ve done for the industry, for Ripple and for the XRP Ledger. We are all forever grateful…… https://t.co/tt4uX4JlkV
— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) September 30, 2025
Former Ripple Dev Says XRP Is Worth 10x More Than LINK
A bout of tribal sparring broke out between crypto advocates on X when CoinRoutes founder Dave Weisberger asked why XRP is worth over 10 times more than Chainlink’s
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Chainlink
LINK
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4.04%Chainlink
LINK
Price
$22.26
4.04% /24h
Volume in 24h
$931.30M
Price 7d
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token despite LINK’s strong partnerships and clearer revenue models.
To be clear, I hold both. I simply think XRP bulls are delusional in their calls. That doesn’t mean it won’t outperform many traditional investments.
— Dave W (@daveweisberger1) September 29, 2025
In response, XRP advocates pointed out that XRP handles significantly more transaction volume and serves as a native asset on a LAYER 1 blockchain, unlike LINK, which functions as a utility token for oracle services.
Further, they argued that XRP’s role in global financial infrastructure, including banks, CBDCs, and stablecoins, gives it a much larger market potential.
Former Ripple engineer Matt Hamilton weighed in on the subject, stating that the comparison was flawed to begin with since both XRP and LINK serve entirely different purposes. He explained XRP is a base-layer currency while LINK is middleware for data feeds.
Trying to compare their value is sort of meaningless. Link is a protocol, the XRP Ledger is an actual network. XRP is the native asset of that entire network. Link is just the token used within the link protocol.
— Matt Hamilton (@HammerToe) September 29, 2025
In the end, no one achieved a conclusive victory. The back and forth only highlighted that the different crypto heads like different things. Some like foundational blockchain assets that serve as Core currencies for their own blockchains. Others prioritise tokens tied to revenue-generating infrastructure.
Ripple Update: XRP Gains SWIFT Access Via Ripple’s Interledger Protocol
X banter aside, Ripple is diligently working in the background to connect its blockchain technology with traditional banking systems by linking its Interledger Protocol (ILP) to SWIFT, the global network banks use to send money across borders.
Ripple built the ILP to connect and update financial systems, helping them work together without needing a full rebuild. Unlike SWIFT, Ripple designed ILP for the digital age.
RIPPLE’S INTERLEDGER PROTOCOL PUSHES XRP ACROSS THE SWIFT NETWORK
The Interledger Protocol “synchronizes separate ledgers without creating a separate ledger.”
It operates like SWIFT, where “successful processing of a payment message results in contractual obligations to… https://t.co/oKBQot22PJ pic.twitter.com/uSFvLWeMMr
— SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) September 29, 2025
This MOVE could significantly boost XRP’s appeal as a key tool for international payments. By making ILP compatible with SWIFT, Ripple is aiming to bring XRP into mainstream finance without replacing existing systems.
Ripple developed the ILP, fully understanding that the world is unlikely to move to a single payment system, instead focusing on making its technology flexible and widely usable.
ISO 20022, a global messaging standard, also supports this strategy and enables secure and smooth transactions.
In short, connecting legacy systems to the ILP will fast-track XRP’s mainstreaming through its increased mobility in the system.
Key Takeaways
- Ripple’s CTO David Schwartz has stepped away from his role after more than a decade in the company
- Ripple has gained access to the SWIFT network via its ILP protocol
- Schwartz will be staying on as an advisor at Ripple, working more closely with developers
