XRP price prediction: What happens as Ripple CTO David Schwartz steps down?

XRP is facing a fresh wave of speculation after Ripple’s long-time Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, announced he is stepping back from his daily role.

Schwartz, one of the most recognized figures in the XRP community and a key architect of Ripple’s technology, will move into a board-level advisory position. The leadership change has sparked debate over whether XRP can maintain its momentum or if uncertainty could weigh on price action.

XRP price prediction market data

At the time of writing, XRP trades just under the $3.00 mark, moving between an intraday low of $2.92 and a high near $3.04. The token has been consolidating within a tight band defined by support around $2.85 and resistance near $3.05–$3.10.

News of Schwartz’s transition initially triggered a brief rally of about 4%, suggesting that traders saw the move as significant. However, market sentiment remains split. Some long-time investors voiced concerns, warning that the departure of Ripple’s most visible technologist could dent confidence in the company’s execution.

Others argue that Schwartz’s continued involvement at the board level limits the downside impact.

Positive factors on XRP price

If XRP can reclaim the $3.05–$3.10 zone, the market may interpret the leadership change as orderly and confidence-building. A breakout above resistance could push XRP toward $3.30–$3.50 in the near term, with longer projections as high as $4.50–$5.00 if momentum builds into Q4.

Institutional flows and Ripple’s expanding partnership base remain supportive of the bullish case. If new leadership continues to advance Ripple’s infrastructure upgrades and maintain developer engagement on the XRPL, the shift may even provide fresh energy for the ecosystem. In that scenario, bulls could view Schwartz’s new board role as a stabilizing rather than disruptive factor.

Negative factors on XRP price

On the other hand, leadership changes often bring uncertainty. If traders view Schwartz’s step back as a loss of vision or technical stewardship, sentiment could sour quickly.

A breakdown below $2.85 would hand control to the bears, with short-term downside targets at $2.74 and $2.66, and a deeper slide possible toward $2.50 if broader crypto markets weaken.

Macro headwinds also remain in play. Profit-taking across large-cap assets and cautious sentiment heading into September could limit XRP’s upside even with positive fundamentals. If retail traders pull back while institutional inflows stall, the bearish case becomes more convincing.

XRP price prediction based on current levels

For now, XRP’s immediate range sits between $2.85 and $3.10. A sustained breakout above $3.10 would favor bullish continuation toward $3.30–$3.50, while a breakdown under $2.85 would likely open the door to bearish pressure in the mid-$2 zone.

The XRP outlook remains mixed as the market digests Schwartz’s departure. The expectation is that the next decisive move will depend less on his role change itself and more on whether Ripple demonstrates continuity in its roadmap. Traders will be watching closely to see if bulls can shake off uncertainty — or if the shift leaves XRP vulnerable to a deeper correction.