Ripple CTO’s $0.006 XRP Entry Could Yield $260M Windfall If Price Hits $10

Ripple's chief technology officer just dropped a bombshell—confirming an early-stage XRP entry at a jaw-dropping $0.006 per token. Now the crypto world's crunching numbers on a potential $260 million payday if prices rally to $10.

The Ultimate HODL Flex

While retail traders were still figuring out how to buy Bitcoin, Ripple's CTO was quietly stacking XRP at basement prices. The revelation sent shockwaves through crypto Twitter—where 'what if' scenarios about life-changing gains thrive alongside regret-filled memes.

Math That Hurts

At current projections, that $0.006 position would need just a 166,566% surge to hit the magic $10 mark—because in crypto, six-figure percentage gains are totally normal until they're not. Wall Street analysts reportedly needed smelling salts after running the compounding returns.

When Lambo? Maybe Never

Of course this assumes XRP actually reaches double digits—a feat requiring either mass adoption or the kind of speculative frenzy that makes 2021's bull market look tame. But hey, in a world where 'number go up' counts as fundamental analysis, why not dream big?

TLDR

• Ripple CTO David Schwartz revealed that he purchased XRP at a price of $0.006.
• Schwartz confirmed he did not receive any XRP from the initial distribution.
• He chose to receive Ripple shares and cash instead of XRP during the early development stage.
• His XRP holdings once reached 26 million tokens at their peak.
• If XRP hits $10, his holdings could be worth $260 million.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz confirmed his early market entry by disclosing the price at which he purchased XRP tokens. The announcement sparked interest across the crypto space as many expected he had received XRP for free. Instead, he revealed a significant investment at a much lower rate than most early adopters.

Although Schwartz played a key role in building the XRP Ledger, he did not receive XRP from Ripple’s initial token allocation. He instead acquired XRP through market purchases, reflecting a choice that surprised many within the community. This disclosure confirmed his independent position and reinforced his alignment with regular investors.

XRP’s current market price stands at $2.25 after a prolonged period of stagnation around the $0.5 level. The token rallied sharply following a broader market surge in late 2025, breaking key resistance zones. Despite new entrants, those who accumulated at lower prices maintain higher returns.

Ripple CTO Opted to Buy XRP

Ripple CTO David Schwartz disclosed that he entered the market when XRP was trading at only $0.006 per token. This price point placed him well ahead of many long-term holders who accumulated at $0.5. Schwartz did not receive XRP from Ripple’s early distribution but chose to buy instead.

$0.006

— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) July 5, 2025

He confirmed that he had the opportunity to accept XRP as part of his compensation during the early stages of Ripple’s operations. However, he opted for cash payments, citing immediate financial needs at the time. Ripple CTO noted that purchasing XRP on the secondary market remained a valid and accessible option.

His entry price now appears to have provided substantial leverage as XRP gained momentum over the years. While many assumed Ripple insiders received tokens freely, Schwartz’s decision to purchase changed that narrative. His strategy underlined his commitment and belief in XRP’s long-term potential.

Potential Value of XRP Holdings at $10

Ripple CTO once confirmed that he held up to 26 million XRP at the peak of his portfolio. If those tokens were bought at $0.006 each, the initial investment WOULD total $156,000. As XRP trades above $2, the value of such holdings stands at around $58.5 million.

If XRP hits $10, the 26 million tokens would be worth $260 million, assuming no tokens were sold. While Schwartz stated that he had not sold large amounts, the current balance of his XRP holdings remains undisclosed. Thus, the full valuation of his XRP position is speculative but backed by his past confirmations.

Ripple CTO emphasized liquidity differences between Ripple shares and XRP, suggesting XRP is more flexible for conversions. He chose Ripple equity over XRP initially, which he admitted came with trade-offs. Still, holding XRP gave him more options during market rallies.

XRP Community Reacts to Early Buy-In

Community members considered investors who bought XRP at $0.5 as original backers during the token’s lengthy sideways movement. Ripple CTO’s $0.006 entry clearly preceded those supporters, placing him among the earliest market participants. This comparison highlighted his long-term commitment and strategic foresight.

Discussions began when a community analyst suggested true “OGs” entered at or below $0.5 before the 2025 rally. The xrp price had tested the $0.5 level repeatedly between 2022 and 2025 before its breakout. Now, XRP has exceeded key price thresholds, attracting newer investors.