Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz is pushing back against new criticism over Ripple’s XRP sales strategy. The debate started after some market watchers argued that Ripple’s handling of XRP gives certain investors an advantage while retail holders face the downside.
In response, Schwartz said that logic does not hold up. He argued that if Ripple’s XRP sales really push the price lower, then anyone in the broader market could also buy the token at a cheaper level. In his view, that does not create a special discount for insiders.
The latest argument appears to center on Ripple’s business structure. Critics say Ripple has two separate value tracks:
- private equity for shareholders
- public XRP distribution in the open market
- XRP sales that can help fund operations
- shareholder-focused moves such as buybacks
Because of that setup, some commentators believe Ripple may have incentives that do not fully align with XRP holders. They argue the company can support shareholder value while still selling XRP into the market.
However, Schwartz rejected that comparison. He said critics are treating XRP like a traditional stock, even though it trades as an open-market digital asset. That distinction matters because token pricing often moves independently of how investors view company equity.
XRP price stays in focus
The timing of this dispute is important. XRP has remained under close watch in recent weeks, with traders reacting quickly to both market signals and Ripple-related headlines. That kind of attention can amplify every public comment, especially when it comes from a long-time Ripple executive.
For many crypto investors, this debate touches on a bigger question. Should XRP be valued like a decentralized token, or should it be viewed more like an asset tied to a company’s success? That issue has followed Ripple for years, and it still has no simple answer.
Schwartz’s comments do not end the argument, but they do show Ripple is aware of growing concern around its treasury strategy. Furthermore, the discussion highlights how closely XRP’s image remains tied to Ripple’s decisions.
As Ripple expands its ecosystem, scrutiny over the relationship between the company and XRP will likely stay in the spotlight.
