A Fond Farewell

Evan Schwartz, the senior software developer at Ripple, recently announced that he is embarking on a new journey after spending six and a half years at the company. On January 2, Schwartz took to Twitter to share his bittersweet news, reflecting on the 2,328 days he contributed to fueling Ripple’s vision of the future marketplace.

“After 2328 days, or just under 6.5 years, today is my last day at @Ripple. Thank you to everyone who helped make it such an exciting ride; I’ll be cheering the team on from the outside. Keep on building the #InternetOfValue!”

The Legacy of Interledger Protocol

One of Schwartz’s key achievements during his time at Ripple was co-inventing the Interledger protocol. This revolutionary open suite of protocols connects different types of ledgers, paving the way for seamless transactions in the digital era. It represents a fundamental aspect of Ripple’s ambitious goal: to create an Internet of Value—an integrated world of various digital currencies transacting with transparency and speed.

Continuing the Journey with Coil

Despite stepping away from Ripple, Evan Schwartz is not leaving the blockchain space altogether. He reassured fans and followers that he plans to remain actively engaged in the Interledger project and the web monetization platform, Coil. His LinkedIn profile shows that he serves as a board member for Coil, which offers innovative ways for creators to monetize their online content.

How Coil is Changing Monetization

Coil utilizes an open API called web monetization, which allows content creators to receive micropayments as their content is consumed. Imagine watching your favorite YouTube sensation, and instead of relying on ads or subscriptions, you’re helping fund their next video in real-time! How cool is that? This innovative payment solution operates on the Interledger protocol that Schwartz helped to create, making it a logical extension of his work at Ripple.

Ripple’s Commitment to Coil

In August, Ripple’s investment arm, Xpring, played a significant role in Coil’s financial growth by participating in a $4 million seed round and providing a whopping 1 billion XRP grant, valued around $265 million at that time. Ethan Beard from Xpring highlighted the disruptive potential of Coil against traditional advertising and subscription models, highlighting how Ripple’s low-cost transactions enabled Coil to pave the way for a fresh monetization approach.

As Schwartz transitions into this next chapter, it’s a reminder that while endings can often feel like a loss, they frequently lead to new and exciting opportunities. Ripple moves forward without Schwartz’s helm, but his legacy on both the company and the ecosystem remains steadfast.