- Ripple CTO David Schwartz regrets selling 40,000 ETH for $1.05 each, a decision that cost him over $100 million.
- He used the proceeds to buy solar panels, which he no longer owns.
Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, recently shared a decision that continues to haunt him in the crypto world. On X (formerly Twitter), Schwartz opened up about his biggest regrets, and it wasn’t about market moves or business blunders—it was personal.
In a candid post, Schwartz reflected on lowering himself to someone else’s level. This sparked a conversation with the community, where one user shared their regret about not buying more XRP when it was at 50 cents. Since then, XRP has surged by 300%, peaking at $3.38 in January, while it’s currently trading at $2.43.
But the real bombshell came when Schwartz revealed his personal regret—selling 40,000 ETH too early. At the time, Ethereum was still in its early days, and Schwartz had acquired the massive stash of ETH during Ethereum’s pre-ICO phase. He had been personally invited by Ethereum’s founder, Vitalik Buterin, to join the project and contribute 20 BTC. Schwartz’s support helped him accumulate a large ETH position, but the sale would come back to bite him.
In hindsight, Schwartz regretted parting with those 40,000 ETH for just $1.05 per coin. He used the proceeds from that sale to buy solar panels for a home he no longer owns. At its peak, the 40,000 ETH stash would have been worth over $100 million.
The crypto community didn’t hold back in reacting to Schwartz’s admission. One user jokingly asked about the solar panels now, while others reflected on the lost opportunity. The conversation turned into a reminder of just how much potential was missed, as Ethereum’s value skyrocketed in the years after that sale.
Schwartz has been transparent about his crypto holdings, and he hasn’t shied away from discussing past decisions. He admitted that at one point, he owned about 26 million XRP but never sold it to buy other cryptocurrencies. Instead, he sold small amounts for “unusual” reasons, never for diversification. Interestingly, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse also shared his portfolio, which includes XRP, BTC, ETH, and other assets, reinforcing his belief in a multichain future for crypto.
In the world of crypto, it’s easy to look back and question missed opportunities. For Schwartz, selling those 40,000 ETH might be the one decision that stands out the most. But, as Schwartz’s transparency shows, even the most seasoned crypto professionals make mistakes. In a market as volatile as crypto, regret is inevitable, but it’s how you move forward that counts.
