XRP Could Overtake Bitcoin, Says Former Ripple CTO

During an X Spaces discussion, Ripple’s former chief technology officer, David Schwartz, expressed confidence that XRP could eventually surpass Bitcoin in market capitalization. He emphasized that this scenario would stem from XRP’s growth outpacing Bitcoin’s, rather than a direct displacement.

Schwartz’s Statement

Schwartz answered a direct question with a clear “yes,” noting that the potential flip would likely occur as part of a broader expansion of the digital‑asset market. He clarified that his view was personal and not an official Ripple forecast, and he provided no specific price target or timeline.

Market Math

Current figures place Bitcoin’s market cap around $1.55 trillion, with BTC trading near $77,269. XRP trades at about $1.34, giving it a market value of roughly $85 billion—approximately 1/18th of Bitcoin’s size. To match Bitcoin’s market cap, XRP would need to reach roughly $24.70 per token, based on its circulating supply of 62.88 billion tokens.

Recent Clarifications

Claims circulating online that Schwartz had confirmed a multi‑trillion‑dollar target for XRP were identified as false. The comment remains a personal opinion without formal valuation guidance.

Upcoming Developments

• Technical: The XRPL fixCleanup3_3_0 amendment has achieved 82.6% validator support, with activation slated for September 11. The amendment does not enable the Lending Protocol, Single Asset Vaults, batch transactions, or confidential transfers.
• Regulatory: The U.S. Senate will consider a cloture motion on H.R. 3633 on September 15, a procedural step affecting the future of digital‑asset market structure.

Broader Market Context

In related market activity, U.S. Bitcoin ETFs recorded net outflows of $120.24 million, while Ether and XRP attracted fresh inflows, highlighting shifting investor preferences.