David Schwartz, the former Ripple CTO, recently revisited XRP’s earliest market days in a post that contrasts past disbelief with today’s price debates. Drawing on personal recollection, Schwartz noted that when XRP traded at approximately $0.006, the idea of reaching $0.25 appeared implausible to many participants. He recalled that the milestone was treated almost humorously at the time, with community members holding a “$0.25 party” and openly joking about how unrealistic a $1 valuation seemed. Schwartz suggested that price targets that once appeared extreme can later become historical footnotes, reframing how current expectations may eventually be viewed. His remarks did not include a prediction or timeline, but rather emphasized perspective. By pointing to how sentiment shifted as XRP appreciated from fractions of a cent to materially higher levels, Schwartz implied that disbelief has been a recurring feature throughout the asset’s market history. When XRP was $0.006, a price of $0.25 felt about as ridiculous as $100 does today. We had a $0.25 party and joked about how impossible $1 seemed. — David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) January 30, 2026 Debate Over Market Conditions Then and Now Schwartz’s reflection prompted varied responses, focusing on whether past comparisons remain valid in the present environment. Les Purves challenged the implied parallel, arguing that XRP’s earlier price increases occurred when the digital asset market was still emerging, and adoption was in its early stages. According to Purves, today’s market is shaped by deeper liquidity, clearer regulatory frameworks, increased competition, and a much larger overall scale. He maintained that these differences make direct comparisons between early price milestones and recent expectations inappropriate. This perspective reframed Schwartz’s historical account as informative but not necessarily predictive, highlighting that structural changes in the market may limit the rate at which past behavior can be used to assess future outcomes. Interpretations of Utility and Repricing Another response, from a commenter identified as Lea, focused on the underlying implication of Schwartz’s remarks rather than the numerical comparison itself. Lea interpreted the post as suggesting that XRP’s long-term repricing would not only be driven by belief or sentiment. Instead, she argued that meaningful price adjustment would occur only if the financial system reached a point at which it could not function without the asset. In her view, the market is currently operating as intended, and any eventual repricing would be abrupt rather than gradual once such dependency is established. This interpretation framed Schwartz’s comments as a broader observation about utility-driven valuation rather than market optimism. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Criticism From Early Supporters Not all reactions were supportive. Crypto Bitlord offered a sharply critical response, asserting that many holders genuinely believed in XRP during its early years. He stated that hearing skepticism from individuals involved in building the technology was troubling. He suggested that this disbelief explained why large amounts of XRP were sold as prices rose from around $0.10 to above $3. According to Crypto Bitlord, these sales occurred at the expense of long-term holders who maintained confidence in the asset. Together, the comments illustrate how a brief historical reflection from Schwartz reopened longstanding disagreements over belief, utility, and responsibility, underscoring how XRP’s past continues to shape interpretations of its future. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Ex-Ripple CTO: When XRP Was $0.006, $0.25 Felt As Ridiculous As $100 Does Today appeared first on Times Tabloid .
