TLDR
- A 2023 court deposition involving Ripple CTO David Schwartz resurfaced in the crypto community.
- Schwartz reportedly mentioned that Satoshi Nakamoto probably held a large amount of XRP in 2017.
- The statement has caused division in the community with some supporting it and others disputing the claim.
- XRP was launched in 2012 while Satoshi disappeared from the crypto space by 2011.
- There is no evidence that links Satoshi to XRP through blockchain data or transaction history.
A recent claim has stirred the crypto community after a 2023 deposition resurfaced, involving Ripple CTO David Schwartz. The court document allegedly indicated Satoshi Nakamoto may have held XRP, but clear evidence remains absent. Community members continue to debate the statement, yet discrepancies in dates and facts challenge the accuracy of this claim.
Ripple CTO’s Statement Raises Questions
During the 2023 Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit, David Schwartz responded to a question comparing XRP and Bitcoin. In his testimony, he referenced the anonymous Bitcoin founder, suggesting a possibility of XRP ownership. However, the use of uncertain language indicates it was speculative, not definitive.
The deposition has gained attention after crypto user XrpHodL_ shared a snippet on social media platform X. The snippet contains Schwartz’s comment, which sparked divided responses from the crypto space. While some saw it as a boost for Ripple, others quickly flagged inconsistencies.
David Schwartz said Satoshi holds$XRP …
LINK TO COURT CASE PDF BELOWhttps://t.co/NgaHK0tbyE pic.twitter.com/0UH4Sc1QPK
— 🎯🥇👨🏽🚀 (@XrpHodL_) July 4, 2025
The statement lacked supporting documents or transactional proof of Satoshi’s XRP involvement. Ripple launched XRP in 2012, while Satoshi vanished from the crypto world in 2011. This timeline mismatch undermines any suggestion that the Bitcoin founder interacted with the Ripple token.
Bitcoin Timeline Shows No XRP Involvement
Satoshi Nakamoto remained active from 2008 to 2010 before exiting without moving any of the early Bitcoin holdings. These coins, sitting untouched, have been tracked by blockchain analysts for years and have no association with XRP. Ripple’s XRP ledger, developed after Nakamoto’s disappearance, has no on-chain data linking to him.
Moreover, no digital signature or address attributed to Satoshi appears in XRP-related activity or transactions. Researchers reviewing the Bitcoin founder’s known behavior find no pattern suggesting cross-chain interest. Instead, Nakamoto maintained a narrow focus on Bitcoin and its core principles.
The lack of technical overlap between early Bitcoin and Ripple developments supports the separation of the two systems. XRP’s codebase and ledger differ significantly from Bitcoin’s blockchain and mining model, reducing any likelihood of Satoshi using a shared wallet or holding cross-assets.
Speculation Misreads Courtroom Context
The context of Schwartz’s comment suggests it was likely hypothetical, made in response to a courtroom line of questioning. Legal language often includes conditional phrases like “probably,” which signal speculation rather than confirmed knowledge. These words cannot be taken as legal proof or technical validation.
Further, Schwartz has consistently denied rumors about being Satoshi or having inside knowledge of his holdings. His testimony focused on asset comparison rather than revealing hidden historical facts. Thus, the claim lacks substance and contradicts Ripple’s official positions.
