Yeliz Akmaca 
Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, made a striking revelation on social media. In his post, he shared that he mined a total of 250 Bitcoins during the early days of the cryptocurrency. At that time, BTC was priced at just $30. The statement came after an old photo of Schwartz wearing a red “Bitcoin miner” T-shirt resurfaced online.
Schwartz mentioned that he first encountered Bitcoin in 2011, a period after its creator Satoshi Nakamoto had already disappeared from the public eye. He reflected on that era, saying, “I saw Bitcoin on a forum and made a purchase on that platform,” adding that the thrill came from simply using digital money.
From Bitcoin to XRP and Ethereum
In a 2023 post, Schwartz expressed regret for not discovering Bitcoin earlier, stating, “I missed buying BTC when it was $2.50.” When he began mining, the price was around $30. Over time, he sold his Bitcoins and reallocated funds into XRP and Ethereum (ETH).
Meanwhile, some social media users have speculated about Schwartz being Satoshi Nakamoto. However, he has firmly denied the claims. “While I may have the skills to be Satoshi, I’m not him,” he clarified. In a 2021 post, Schwartz confirmed that he first heard about Bitcoin in 2011.
Criticism of Bitcoin and the PoW Debate
Schwartz has also criticized Bitcoin’s technical limitations, particularly its high energy usage and scalability issues. He has voiced support for more sustainable and efficient blockchain systems, finding the proof-of-work algorithm insufficient.
These insights from the Ripple CTO are closely watched within the community. His early experience with Bitcoin and ongoing technical commentary serve as a valuable reference for the crypto sector. Such confessions help illustrate the evolution of the crypto space.
Ultimately, Schwartz’s honest reflections about the past inspire new investors and shed light on crypto history.
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