Co-founder and former CEO of Ripple, Chris Larsen, played a pivotal role in the company’s development, according to Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz.
I think Chris. He really believed in, and committed to, the idea at a stage where that was hard to do and well before I did.
— David “JoelKatz” Schwartz (@JoelKatz) May 16, 2024
The programmer offered users on X an AMA session. One commenter suggested he answer the question: “Who was the most important person in Ripple’s history?”
Among the options, besides Schwartz himself for implementing the idea on the blockchain, were:
- Jed McCaleb as the author of the concept;
- Chris Larsen, who turned it into a real business;
- Brad Garlinghouse, who as CEO ensured Ripple’s growth and current scale;
- others.
“I think Chris. He really believed in this idea and stuck to it at a stage when it was hard to realize, and long before I managed to,” he answered unequivocally.
Larsen’s personal fortune is estimated by Forbes to be $3.2 billion, while McCaleb’s is $2.9 billion.
In April, Schwartz noted that several years ago he was offered a position on Ripple’s board of directors, which he considered recognition of his loyalty to the company.
Many years ago, I was talking to Chris Larsen and he said he wanted me on the board at Ripple because I was loyal. And in the moment, I interpreted it as loyal to him.
I told him that I would be loyal to him so long as I felt he was the right guy to run Ripple. He’s rational,…
— David “JoelKatz” Schwartz (@JoelKatz) April 18, 2024
However, the programmer emphasized that despite owning “a large number” of Ripple shares, he could leave the firm at any moment when the work “ceases to be enjoyable.”
During a podcast on World Class, Garlinghouse recounted how Larsen convinced him to join Ripple and take the CEO position. At that time, the current head of the company had an alternative opportunity at Uber.
Earlier, during the conversation, Garlinghouse suggested that the U.S. government was targeting the largest stablecoin by market capitalization, USDT.
The head of the coin’s issuer, Tether, Paolo Ardoino, accused him of attacking the firm. Ripple’s CEO categorically denied such allegations.