Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, has been open about his early involvement with XRP, revealing some interesting details about his purchase price and the potential gains he could realise if the token reaches new highs. As a pivotal figure behind the XRP Ledger, Schwartz’s decisions and holdings are of great interest to both the crypto community and investors.
Early XRP Purchase at a Groundbreaking Price
David Schwartz is well-known for his contributions to the XRP Ledger (XRPL) as one of its original architects. Many fans and investors assumed that Schwartz received his XRP tokens as part of the project’s initial distribution. However, Schwartz recently clarified that he purchased all his XRP on the secondary market, much like any other investor.
Interestingly, Schwartz revealed that his entry price was a mere $0.006 per XRP, which is far lower than what most other early investors paid. While some “OGs” bought their XRP at around $0.5, Schwartz’s entry position makes him an even earlier adopter, further solidifying his place as one of the most significant figures in the XRP community.
XRP’s Historic Price Movements
XRP’s price has experienced significant fluctuations over the years, and traders and investors have closely watched its journey. Between 2022 and 2025, XRP fluctuated around the $ 0.50 level, providing investors with numerous opportunities to purchase at this price. In November 2025, a major rally occurred, largely driven by market-wide movements. Since then, XRP has solidified its position above $1 and recently traded near $2.
This continued growth has attracted a surge of new investors. However, as XRP steadily increased in value, it is clear that those who entered at the $0.5 level experienced notable gains. Stedas, a prominent XRP community member, points out that only the true “OGs” secured their holdings during the more challenging price periods.
Related article: Buy XRP Before the U.S. Treasury Announcement, Says Analyst – What’s Coming for Ripple?
How Much David Schwartz Could Make
Schwartz’s XRP purchase at $0.006 means that if he still holds the same amount of XRP, his returns would be immense. At his peak, Schwartz claimed to have owned 26 million XRP tokens. If he had purchased them at $0.006, it would have cost him only $156,000 to accumulate this considerable amount.
Fast forward to today, with XRP trading at $2.25, and his holdings would be valued at an impressive $58.5 million. This surge in value illustrates the tremendous potential for early investors in XRP and highlights Schwartz’s savvy move to purchase at such a low price.
What If XRP Hits $10?
While many investors have projected that XRP could eventually reach $10, this price target remains speculative. A projection by EGRAG, based on various indicators, suggests that XRP could indeed surge to $10 in the future.
If this happens, Schwartz’s 26 million XRP would be worth a staggering $260 million. This represents a monumental increase from his initial investment of just $156,000. While Schwartz’s exact holdings remain unclear, it’s safe to assume that he could stand to make substantial profits if XRP continues to rise in value.
Conclusion
David Schwartz’s early decision to buy XRP at such a low price has paid off tremendously, and if XRP reaches the projected $10 mark, his gains could be astronomical. Whether or not Schwartz still holds his full XRP stash, his story serves as a reminder of the vast potential rewards for early investors who have faith in the long-term growth of XRP. The future of XRP remains uncertain, but with its current trajectory and continued adoption, the possibilities are exciting for both the Ripple CTO and the broader XRP community.
