- Stern Drew claims Ripple and XRP were intentionally unable to scale until ZK-proofs and blockchain identity matured.
- He connected his theory with remarks from David Schwartz and Brad Garlinghouse.
- Drew says native ZK-proofs on XRPL unlock true global scaling, enabling decentralized settlement and privacy-preserving compliance.
Crypto analyst and commentator Stern Drew has ignited fresh debate in the XRP community after asserting that Ripple and XRP were intentionally held back from scaling, until now.
In a detailed post, Drew argued that advancements in zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs and blockchain-based identity solutions could fundamentally transform how value and identity move across the internet, eliminating the need for traditional intermediaries.
Linking Schwartz and Garlinghouse’s Remarks
Drew referenced comments from two of Ripple’s top executives, CTO David Schwartz and CEO Brad Garlinghouse, as part of his broader claim.
According to him, both leaders hinted at a future where decentralization and blockchain-native identity would allow users to transact and verify themselves without relying on banks or custodial service providers.
Schwartz has long emphasized the decentralized nature of the XRP Ledger (XRPL), recently stating that the XRPL allows individuals to “become their own bank.”
Drew argues this statement takes on new significance once ZK-proofs are integrated into the ecosystem, as users will be able to prove authorization, identity, and transaction validity solely through cryptography.
Garlinghouse’s past comments that governments “the government owns your identity and would love to see a blockchain-based identity” were also cited. According to Drew, ZK-proof–powered digital identity flips the current model of state-controlled identity.
Instead, users can hold their identity credentials privately, while institutions verify compliance without ever accessing sensitive data.
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🚨 This Is Why They Never Wanted Ripple and XRP to Scale Until Now👇
David said decentralization. Brad said blockchain identity.
When ZK-proofs become native to XRPL, settlement no longer routes through intermediaries… validation becomes cryptographic, not custodial, and… https://t.co/Asbt07z32X pic.twitter.com/FaBY2zqvR7
— Stern Drew (@SternDrewCrypto) December 8, 2025
ZK-Proofs: The Missing Layer for XRPL Scaling
At the core of Drew’s argument is the role of zero-knowledge proofs, which he believes represent the final trust layer the XRPL needed to scale freely.
Once ZK-proofs become native to the XRP Ledger, settlement no longer needs intermediaries. Validation becomes cryptographic instead of custodial, and liquidity can be cleared directly on the ledger without institutional bottlenecks.
Drew describes this as the reason XRP’s scaling potential was suppressed: the ecosystem was not yet technologically ready for a world where custody disappears as a business model and becomes a “cryptographic right.”
With ZK-proofs enabling mathematical attestation of identity and transaction validity, middlemen lose their traditional function.
A New Architecture for Compliance and Privacy
Drew further explained that ZK-proofs could unify several emerging sectors—permissioned finance, institutional DeFi, sovereign digital identities, and real-world asset stablecoins—into a single interoperable system.
Regulators benefit from auditability, while users retain privacy, creating a balance previously believed to be impossible. He pointed to DNA Protocol as an example of infrastructure that aligns with this vision.
The project builds ZK-credential frameworks enabling verification of identity and compliance without exposing any personal data. In Drew’s view, systems like these would allow the XRPL to scale globally, removing the need for disclosure-based settlement methods.
A Potential Turning Point for Ripple and XRP
Stern Drew’s claims have sparked widespread discussion among XRP holders, developers, and market observers, many of whom have speculated for years that regulatory or institutional pressures slowed XRP’s expansion.
Drew argues the real reason was technological: true decentralization and scalable compliance required cryptographic identity and settlement layers that are only now becoming feasible.
If his predictions prove accurate, the next phase of XRPL development, driven by ZK-proof adoption, could mark the beginning of the network’s long-awaited global scaling era.
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