Ripple CTO David Schwartz stepping down after 13+ years is sending shockwaves through XRP holders. Early investor Crypto Bitlord just dropped a "time to exit" bomb, arguing this move signals Ripple's real troubles are deeper than most realize. Here's the issue: SWIFT just launched its own blockchain ledger with 30+ global banks—the exact competition Ripple feared for years. Schwartz's resignation + SWIFT's power move = the "XRP replaces SWIFT" narrative is basically dead. Bitlord's take? Ripple has zero meaningful cash flow outside dumping XRP to retail. Once that well dries up, what's left? Meanwhile, XRP has been stuck in purgatory for over a decade despite all the hype. Bitlord himself went from "buy for the love of God" to threatening to dump at $2. That's not investor conviction—that's investor fatigue. The counterpoint: Some community members see heavy FUD as actually bullish (contrarian indicator). Schwartz staying as CTO Emeritus could mean IPO prep, which might be bigger for XRP than anyone admits. So what's the real story? Is XRP entering a new phase or just hitting the ceiling? The fact that even early believers are questioning it is the biggest signal here.