David Schwartz, CTO of Ripple, commented on the controversy surrounding the Clarity Act, offering a thoughtful look at regulation, strategy, and where the cryptocurrency industry is headed next.
He speaks in XRLasVegas 2026Schwartz explained that although the Law of Clarity may not be perfect, progress is more important than perfection.
“I think the strategy is to get as much as we can as soon as we can,” he said, stressing that delaying regulation to achieve an ideal outcome could slow down the entire industry.
He acknowledged internal discussions at Ripple as well, especially during changing political circumstances. One camp called for aggressive expansion, “Go public, get everything we can from customers,” while another urged caution amid regulatory uncertainty.
Ultimately, Ripple moved forward while avoiding irreversible risks.
Why is regulation still important?
For Schwartz, regulatory clarity is a big eye-opener. He compared the potential impact of the Clarity Act to historical turning points such as the early Internet era.
“Passing the Clarity Act is a starting gun,” he noted, noting that it could unleash institutional capital and accelerate its adoption, even if the framework is not flawless.
At the same time, he stressed that pushing negotiations to the edge is part of the process. “You get the best deal when you are willing to walk away,” he explained, highlighting the reasons why some industry players appear reluctant; They aim for better terms, not rejection.
Enterprise first, retail later
Schwartz also explained Ripple’s long-term strategy, which begins with institutional adoption before reaching mainstream users.
“Today’s institutions are paving the way for tomorrow’s retail,” he said, comparing that to how the Internet first spread through governments and businesses.
He noted that current cryptocurrency offerings still lack practical tools for everyday users, noting that DeFi has been stuck with around $150 billion due to limited real-world utility.
Growth without closing the door
Although supportive of regulatory progress, Schwartz warned against creating barriers for new entrants.
“I never want to be in a position where the door is closed behind me,” he said, adding that innovation thrives in open competition.
In his view, even an imperfect bill is worth accepting now, because in cryptocurrencies, momentum is more important than waiting for the perfect framework.
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