TLDR
- David Schwartz addressed claims that Coinbase demanded millions of dollars to list XRP.
- He said people often misread complex listing negotiations as pay for listing deals.
- Schwartz used a hypothetical example to show how such claims can form.
- He did not confirm that Coinbase made any specific payment demand.
- Community member Diana resurfaced his past comments and revived the debate.
Fresh comments from Ripple’s former technology chief have revived debate about XRP’s path to listing on Coinbase. Community members revisited past statements from David Schwartz after social media posts resurfaced. The discussion centers on whether Coinbase sought millions of dollars from Ripple before listing XRP.
Coinbase and XRP Listing Talks Face Renewed Scrutiny
Diana, a well-known XRP community figure, highlighted older posts from Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz. She shared comments that referenced complex negotiations tied to XRP’s listing process. As a result, questions resurfaced about whether Coinbase requested large payments during talks.
Schwartz addressed earlier claims that Ripple paid millions of dollars to exchanges. He responded during an exchange with a user known as ScamDetector. However, he rejected the allegation that Ripple simply paid for listings without context.
He introduced what he called a “completely made-up hypothetical” to explain his point. Schwartz said he used the example to show how people can misread negotiations. He stressed that the scenario did not describe actual events.
In that hypothetical case, an exchange refused to list XRP despite clear business reasons. According to Schwartz, the exchange demanded millions of dollars, and Ripple declined. Consequently, both sides entered a prolonged standoff.
The story of Coinbase listing XRP is the only story I most wish I could tell that I can't.
— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) May 17, 2023
He explained that the dispute could later appear as a pay-for-listing deal. “Had we not existed, the exchange would have listed XRP months ago,” Schwartz wrote. He added, “We paid money to not let our existence hurt the XRP ecosystem.”
Schwartz argued that outsiders could misinterpret such negotiations. He said people might frame the outcome as Ripple paying for listings. Therefore, he warned that simplified narratives can distort complex talks.
Legal Disputes and Narrative Framing Around XRP
Schwartz also linked listing claims to the broader legal fight with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He stated that litigation opponents often present facts in the worst possible light. As a result, repeated allegations can gain traction even without proof.
He emphasized that legal arguments may rely on interpretations that do not directly contradict evidence. However, he said those interpretations can still shape public opinion. Consequently, rumors may spread as accepted facts.
Back in May 2023, Schwartz hinted at undisclosed details about XRP’s Coinbase listing. He wrote that he wished he could share the full story, but could not. That statement fueled speculation within the XRP community.
Coinbase delisted XRP in December 2020 after the SEC filed its lawsuit against Ripple. The exchange removed the token from trading on its U.S. platform. Later, in July 2023, a federal court ruled that XRP sales on exchanges did not constitute securities transactions.
Following that ruling, Coinbase relisted XRP for trading. XRP continues to trade on Coinbase as of 2026. Schwartz has not confirmed that Coinbase demanded any specific dollar amount.
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