TLDR
- Ripple CTO deploys high-performance XRPL nodes with 10 Gbps link and 256 GB RAM in New York.
- Schwartz’s XRPL server is fully synced and aims to support validators and public nodes.
- No Ripple ties Schwartz runs XRPL node independently to aid decentralization and uptime.
- XRP Ledger node to collect real-time traffic data, not used for testing or experiments.
In a move that has drawn industry attention, Ripple CTO David Schwartz has returned to the XRP Ledger network—but not through his role at Ripple. Instead, he has launched his own XRPL infrastructure, operating independently from the company.
This marks his first direct involvement in XRP Ledger node operations in several years. Schwartz announced the development on August 2, sharing technical details and clarifying that his new server is meant to support the network in a production-ready capacity.
Independent Server Launched to Support XRPL Network
David Schwartz has built a high-performance XRPL server located in a New York data center. The machine is equipped with an AMD 9950X processor, 256 GB RAM, multiple terabytes of SSD and NVMe storage, and a 10 Gbps unmetered connection. It runs on Ubuntu and is already synced with the XRP Ledger.
Schwartz clarified that the server is not for experimentation or testing. “This is a stable, production-level node,” he stated. He aims to contribute to XRP Ledger’s uptime and performance by providing a consistent point of connectivity. Some slots on the server are being reserved for critical infrastructure, including validator and gateway nodes.
Update: The hardware is operational and is live on XRPL and synchronized. It's going to take a few weeks of hardening and battle testing before it will be ready to actually serve important nodes. But it is actually providing some additional connectivity right now.
— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) August 3, 2025
He also explained that space on the server may be made available to the public. However, this will depend on resource availability. No disruptive updates or tests are planned unless required for technical reasons.
Focus on Decentralization and Network Performance
Though Schwartz has not operated infrastructure directly in recent years, he noted that the XRPL ecosystem has matured. He believes that this makes independent hubs like his more useful than before. The setup is meant to help increase decentralized network resilience.
He emphasized that the server should not be relied upon as a sole point of failure. Instead, it’s intended to serve as one of many nodes contributing to the wider infrastructure. “No one should depend on a single node,” Schwartz wrote. Still, data collected from this server may help understand how XRPL handles real-time traffic and variable workloads.
Schwartz also mentioned the need for “battle hardening” in the coming weeks before the server is ready for full-scale load. However, it is already operational and contributing to XRPL traffic.
XRP Role in Cross-Border Settlement Revisited
In a recent post on social media platform X, Schwartz addressed XRP’s place in institutional payments. Responding to investor Andrei Jikh, he discussed how XRP’s availability and neutrality make it suitable for bridging tokenized assets globally. “XRP functions best as a bridge currency,” he stated, especially in markets with fragmented liquidity.
He also explained the price argument that has resurfaced in recent discussions. A quote from Schwartz, originally shared on Quora, argued that a higher XRP price could reduce market disruption during large payments. “$1,000,000 per XRP is more practical than $1,” Schwartz previously stated, noting fewer units are needed for big transfers, making them more efficient.
Though Ripple has not yet used XRPL’s built-in decentralized exchange for enterprise payments, Schwartz mentioned new features under development. These include permissioned domains, which could enable stricter controls for regulated institutions. This development is being monitored by those watching XRP’s growing involvement in the tokenized finance sector.
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