What to know:
- Schwartz hinted at Coinbase requesting millions before XRP listing discussions progressed
- Ripple declined payment demands, leading to prolonged XRP listing delay
- XRP later generated significant exchange revenue after eventual listing decision
A detailed post on X by crypto commenter Pumpius has reignited discussion around XRP’s listing history on Coinbase, drawing attention to earlier remarks made by Ripple’s former CTO, David Schwartz, while also placing renewed focus on how major exchanges handle asset listings and negotiations behind the scenes.
Moreover, the thread revisited a series of statements from Schwartz in 2023 where he outlined a hypothetical scenario involving exchange listing conditions, which many interpreted as what happened behind the scenes with Coinbase.
XRP Listing Delay and Reported Fee Dispute Resurface
Back in 2023, David Schwartz, who was Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer at the time, hinted at the story of XRP’s listing on Coinbase, noting that he wished it were one he could talk about openly but couldn’t.
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 later went on to describe “a completely made-up, hypothetical story” where he described a situation in which an exchange allegedly requested millions of dollars as a listing fee, a condition that Ripple ultimately declined to accept despite recognizing the potential benefits of a listing on a major platform. As a result, XRP remained unavailable on that exchange for a considerable period, even as market interest in the asset continued to develop.
Moreover, Schwartz indicated that the delay reflected a continued disagreement over terms, as both parties maintained their respective positions during the standoff, which prevented an immediate resolution despite ongoing discussions. He further suggested that the exchange was aware of XRP’s strong trading potential, yet chose to delay the listing under those circumstances.
Also Read: Top Analyst Maps Out XRP’s Clear Path to $27: Details
Furthermore, Schwartz explained that a later agreement eventually changed the outcome, allowing XRP to be listed and quickly generate significant trading activity on the platform. He even stated that the asset accounted for nearly 20% of the exchange’s revenue at one stage, a detail that has intensified ongoing discussions around listing motivations.
Broader Questions Around Exchange Practices and Market Influence
Besides that, the resurfaced remarks have directed attention toward broader exchange practices, particularly as industry observers increasingly note that financial negotiations may influence which assets gain access to major trading platforms. Additionally, the situation reflects how exchanges and blockchain projects often navigate complex commercial relationships that extend beyond basic listing requirements.
According to Schwartz, Ripple faced pressure to make payments despite XRP demonstrating strong demand, yet the company chose to prioritize ecosystem stability over immediate listing opportunities, which suggests a more strategic approach to decision-making. Consequently, this perspective highlights how such negotiations may involve multiple operational and financial considerations.
Following the resurfacing of these comments, speculation has grown within the XRP community that the company Schwartz was referring to in his “made-up” story is Coinbase; however, it is important to note that he did not state explicitly that the scenario happened.
The renewed focus on Schwartz’s remarks has intensified debate around Coinbase’s XRP listing process, while also raising broader questions about transparency and decision-making across the crypto industry.
Also Read: Ethereum Foundation Drops $46M Into Staking – Massive Move Shakes Market
