What did David Schwartz say about crypto investing?

David Schwartz said crypto is a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to build wealth. However, he also revealed he has reduced most of his personal exposure to digital assets. His stance highlights the trade-off between high returns and risk.

Why did David Schwartz sell Ethereum early?

Schwartz sold Ethereum at $1.05 because he believed it had a very low chance of reaching current levels. He said he did not see a clear path for its growth at the time. This decision caused him to miss out on massive gains.

How much did Ethereum rise after Schwartz sold?

Ethereum later surged to around $2,368, far above Schwartz’s exit price. This represents one of the largest missed upside opportunities in crypto history. It illustrates how difficult it is to predict long-term winners in the space.

Does David Schwartz still hold crypto today?

Yes, Schwartz still holds crypto, including more than one million XRP. Although he reduced his holdings, his remaining position is still worth several million dollars depending on market conditions. He maintains exposure but at a lower risk level.

Why did Schwartz reduce his crypto exposure?

Schwartz prioritises stability and lower risk over maximising returns. He said holding large amounts of volatile assets made it harder to “sleep at night.” His strategy reflects a more conservative investment approach.

Is Schwartz bullish or bearish on crypto?

He is structurally bullish on crypto as a long-term opportunity but cautious in practice. He believes the wealth opportunity is real but prefers not to take extreme risks. This is a balanced but conservative outlook.

Could David Schwartz have become a billionaire from crypto?

Schwartz said he could “easily” have become a billionaire if he had held more crypto for longer. However, he chose to prioritise financial security instead. This highlights the trade-off between risk and reward.

What does this mean for XRP investors?

His comments may create mixed signals for XRP holders. On one hand, he still holds a large amount, showing confidence. On the other, his reduced exposure suggests caution about volatility.

Image for illustrative purposes only. Not a real photo.

Ripple’s Schwartz calls crypto once-in-generation bet

Written by Isaac FrancisPublished May. 5 2026Last Updated May. 5 2026

David Schwartz said cryptocurrency represents a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to build wealth, even as he has shifted most of his personal portfolio into more stable assets.

The longtime Ripple executive revealed he sold Ethereum at $1.05, well before its rise to over $2,300, citing low confidence in its long-term upside at the time.

“If I had thought there was a 1% chance of it hitting $2,368, I would not have sold it for $1.05,”

Said David Schwartz.

Schwartz said his investment approach prioritises stability over speculative gains, even if it means missing out on outsized returns in volatile markets like crypto.

He added that he has reduced his exposure to XRP but still holds more than one million tokens, and the share price was unchanged at $XX.

Schwartz acknowledged he could have become a billionaire by holding crypto longer but said the trade-off for reduced risk was worthwhile.

The comments come as investors closely watch signals from Ripple leadership, balancing optimism about crypto’s long-term potential with concerns about volatility and risk management.

At the time of reporting, Ethereum price was $2,377.04.