David Schwartz to Return at Ripple Swell 2026 as CTO Emeritus
David Schwartz, Ripple's former chief technology officer, will return to the stage at Ripple Swell 2026 in New York on October 27 with the title CTO Emeritus. He is set to discuss the XRP Ledger's future with RippleX engineering head Ayo Akinyele on October 28. Ripple is combining Swell with its Apex technical summit and UBRI Connect academic event, expecting about 1,500 attendees and featuring speakers from finance and entertainment.
David Schwartz stepped away from day-to-day leadership and joined Ripple’s board before returning as CTO Emeritus. At Swell 2026, he will appear on October 27, then speak with RippleX engineering head Ayo Akinyele on October 28 about the XRP Ledger’s direction.
Ripple is folding its Swell finance gathering together with the Apex technical summit and UBRI Connect academic event at The Shed in New York. Roughly 1,500 people are expected. Speakers include CEO Brad Garlinghouse, former NYSE president Tom Farley, BNY’s Laide Majiyagbe, and actor Matt Damon, whose Water.org may use RLUSD for microfinance in Asia and Africa. XRP gained 46% in Q3, near $1.53, with market value around $97 billion.
The gathering could influence how investors, developers, and payment firms view the XRP Ledger’s readiness for broader financial use. Clear technical signals may strengthen confidence among XRP holders and builders, while vague answers could add uncertainty. If Water.org’s proposed RLUSD microfinance work advances, communities in Asia and Africa might gain new funding channels, though outcomes would depend on implementation, regulation, and adoption. The event may also shape how finance and academic audiences assess blockchain’s practical role.