During a recent Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, David Schwartz, Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), shed light on who he believes is the most pivotal figure in the company’s history. Despite being under the influence of pain medication after a dental procedure, Schwartz actively engaged with XRP enthusiasts, welcoming their questions.
An interesting query emerged from the XRP community, prompting Schwartz to identify the most important individual in Ripple from a selection of past and present Ripple executives. The options included Schwartz himself, co-founder and former CTO Jed McCaleb, co-founder and Chairman Chris Larsen, current CEO Brad Garlinghouse, and an “other” category.
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Schwartz’s response revealed Chris Larsen as his pick for the most influential figure. He acknowledged Larsen’s unwavering belief in Ripple’s vision, especially during the company’s formative years. Schwartz highlighted that Larsen’s conviction in Ripple’s potential predated his own.
Larsen’s Enduring Influence on Ripple’s Trajectory
Founded in 2012 by Larsen and McCaleb, Ripple has transitioned from a fledgling startup to a leading force in the cryptocurrency space. The company focuses on providing secure and efficient payment solutions tailored for prominent financial institutions worldwide.
Larsen’s leadership as CEO until 2016 proved invaluable during Ripple’s critical growth stages.
Notably, he played a key role in selecting Brad Garlinghouse as his successor. Earlier this month, Garlinghouse publicly acknowledged Larsen’s influence in persuading him to pursue Ripple over a leadership opportunity at ride-sharing giant Uber.
Furthermore, Larsen’s loyalty extended to bringing David Schwartz onto Ripple’s board. Schwartz, a mastermind behind the XRP Ledger (XRPL) technology underpinning XRP, has spearheaded significant development initiatives for XRPL and other Ripple-affiliated projects since assuming the CTO position.
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Ripple and the SEC: A Legal Standoff
The ongoing legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also impacted Larsen. The SEC had accused him and Garlinghouse of aiding and abetting Ripple in the unregistered sale of XRP as a security.
In a surprising turn of events, the SEC dropped the charges against Larsen and Garlinghouse in 2023, while the lawsuit against Ripple continues. The parties now await a court decision on Ripple’s motion to exclude a specific witness statement and the final verdict.
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