Ripple CTO Responds to XRP ATH Speculation With New Insight

XRP, the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, surged nearly 20% in the past 24 hours. It reached $3.66 on Coinbase, marking its highest price in more than six years. The sudden rally pushed XRP’s market cap above $200 billion for the first time, currently standing at $204.88 billion, according to CoinMarketCap.

Debate Rekindled on True ATH

The sharp price increase reignited debate across the crypto community about XRP’s actual all-time high (ATH). A user on X (formerly Twitter) declared that XRP had entered “price discovery,” suggesting it had surpassed its previous high. However, another user challenged that claim, stating XRP wouldn’t enter price discovery until it breaks $3.84 the price reportedly recorded on Coinbase on January 4, 2018.

This sparked renewed discussion around earlier comments made by Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz. In April 2023, Schwartz argued that the widely cited ATH of $3.84 might be misleading. He explained that exchange rates at the time may have caused inflated USD conversions from international platforms. Based on that reasoning, he once estimated XRP’s true ATH to be closer to $2.80.

Schwartz Now Believes XRP Has Surpassed Its True ATH

However, Schwartz has now revised his view. Responding to a resurfaced tweet on the topic, he admitted, “I think my $2.80 number was wrong though. The real ATH was higher than that.” His latest comment reflects the belief that XRP’s current rally may indeed represent a new, genuine all-time high.

Well, I'm pretty sure the real ATH is now, but you know what I mean.
— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) July 18, 2025

He added, “Well, I’m pretty sure the real ATH is now, but you know what I mean,” suggesting that XRP’s latest move has possibly eclipsed all previous price records when considering fair market value and proper conversions.

Data from platforms such as Arkham also support the notion that XRP has now reached a new all-time high. Though price references still vary slightly across exchanges, current market sentiment and metrics point to a historic moment for XRP not just in price, but also in valuation accuracy.

Lanre Durojaiye

Mr. Durojaiye Olusola is a finance graduate and cryptocurrency writer with over a year of experience providing market insights and clear, well-researched analysis. Dedicated to helping readers understand blockchain trends and digital asset developments.

Disclaimer: The information in this article should not be considered financial advice, and FXCryptoNews articles are intended only to provide educational and general information. Please consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.