David Schwartz Breaks Silence on Ripple’s XRP Origins and Domain Name

TLDR

• David Schwartz, Ripple’s CTO emeritus, shared insights on XRP’s early days in a casual thread on X.
• Schwartz revealed that Arthur Britto likely coined the term “drop” for XRP’s smallest unit, though he couldn’t confirm it.
• The conversation also highlighted the differing intellectual styles between Schwartz and Britto during the creation of XRP.
• Ripple’s domain name, ripple.com, was obtained from a Grateful Dead fan, not a corporate decision.
• Schwartz’s anecdotes offered a personal and human side to the development of XRP and Ripple’s history.

David Schwartz, Ripple’s CTO emeritus, recently shared some eye-opening details about XRP’s origins in a casual thread on X. His insights uncovered an informal side to Ripple‘s early days, shedding light on the story behind XRP’s smallest unit, the “drop,” and the company’s domain name. His candid responses revealed new, behind-the-scenes details, leaving many in the XRP community surprised.

Schwartz Discusses Britto’s Influence on XRP Terminology

Schwartz shared his best guess about who coined the term “drop” for XRP’s smallest unit. He suggested that Arthur Britto, a co-architect of the XRP Ledger, was likely the first to use the term. However, Schwartz made it clear that he couldn’t say for sure. He explained that early terminology in the XRP project was more of a “builder shorthand,” rather than a formal decision made by a naming committee.

He also took a moment to compare his own thought process with that of Britto. Schwartz described himself as someone with conventional intelligence who processes information quickly. On the other hand, he praised Britto for his extraordinary intellect, which operates on a different level. Schwartz recalled moments when Britto asked him to slow down during explanations, even when discussing Britto’s own ideas. This insight provided a more personal look into the dynamics between the two co-architects.

Ripple’s Domain Name: A Grateful Dead Fan’s Influence

The conversation took an unexpected turn when Schwartz revealed the origins of Ripple’s domain name. According to him, Ripple acquired ripple.com from a Grateful Dead fan who had registered the domain long before the company existed. The fan’s decision to register the domain was inspired by the band’s song “Ripple,” not because of any company decision.

Schwartz’s explanation put to rest any myths about Ripple’s online identity being carefully crafted in a boardroom. Instead, the domain name’s origins were tied to the interests of a fan, connecting Ripple’s digital presence to the Grateful Dead’s culture. Schwartz’s casual recounting added a layer of humanity to the company’s history, showing how chance played a role in Ripple’s development.

Through these revelations, Schwartz provided new perspectives on the beginnings of XRP and the personalities behind its creation. These stories not only answered long-standing questions but also revealed the human side of building a groundbreaking project.

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