- David Schwartz calls crypto a “Once-in-a-Generation” chance but chooses safer, lower-risk exposure.
- He rejects “diamond hands,” favoring risk management over chasing huge gains in volatile crypto markets.
- He says extreme price targets aren’t priced in, showing markets assign low odds to outsized XRP outcomes.
Ripple’s CTO Emeritus, David Schwartz, is reminding XRP holders and the broader market that even those closest to the industry don’t always chase maximum gains.
In a series of posts on X, Schwartz described crypto as potentially a “once-in-a-generation” chance to build wealth. However, he made it clear he’s intentionally taken a more cautious path.
Rare Opportunity, But Not Worth Losing Sleep Over
Schwartz acknowledged that digital assets like XRP could still offer life-changing upside. He explained that while crypto may represent a rare window for significant financial gains, he’s comfortable not fully capitalizing on it.
Instead, he prefers stability, noting that he sleeps better at night holding safer exposure, particularly through his Ripple equity.
Rather than embracing high-risk strategies, Schwartz described himself as someone who prioritizes sensible investing, even if it means missing out on major upside.
“I’m Not the Diamond Hands Guy”
Responding to a discussion sparked by XRP community figure Diana, Schwartz countered the idea that long-term holding at all costs is the best strategy.
He openly stated that he’s not a “diamond hands” investor. Instead, he leans toward risk management, even in a market known for massive returns.
Schwartz admitted that taking more risks could have made him a billionaire. However, he noted that his current level of success aligns with the level of risk he was willing to accept.
Notably, the conversation also revisited Schwartz’s widely discussed decision to sell Ethereum at around $1.05.
He clarified that at the time, he wasn’t convinced there was even a 1% chance ETH could reach the levels it eventually did. In hindsight, while the outcome proved massive, his decision reflected his risk assessment at that moment.
This ties into his recent argument that markets price in probabilities. If investors truly believed in extreme upside scenarios, prices would likely already reflect that belief.
The XRP $10K Debate and Market Logic
Last week, Schwartz argued that if rational, wealthy investors genuinely believed there was even a small chance, say 1%, that XRP could reach $10,000 within a decade, the asset would already be trading significantly higher today, potentially around $20.
The fact that it is not suggests the market does not currently assign meaningful probability to such extreme outcomes.
From Massive Holdings to Minimal Exposure
Despite being one of crypto’s earliest participants, Schwartz revealed he has significantly reduced his holdings over time. At one point, he held over 26 million XRP, more than 1,000 BTC, and around 40,000 ETH.
Today, those numbers have dropped sharply to below 1 BTC and 2 ETH. Moreover, his XRP balance is now just over a million tokens
He explained that he has deliberately shifted most of his wealth away from crypto exposure, citing a general dislike for risk, even though many of his past bets turned out extremely well.
While many investors chase outsized gains, Schwartz’s perspective highlights that defining success should be based on personal risk tolerance rather than on maximum possible returns.
For XRP holders and the crypto market, the takeaway is that opportunity may still exist, but how much risk to take remains a personal decision.
Related: Ripple ex-CTO Confirms XRP Price Is Not Going to $10,000
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