Unveiling the Truth: Ripple CTO’s Online Q&A Revelation
In a surprising development, David Schwartz, the Chief Technology Officer of Ripple, has admitted to orchestrating a supposedly live fan Q&A session with Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath members, which was not as authentic as it appeared. This revelation sheds light on the challenges faced during early online events and how technology has evolved since then.
The Early Days of Online Q&A Events
During his time at a company named WebMaster, Schwartz encountered technical difficulties and a lack of enthusiasm for the entire band, leading him to innovate on the fly. Fans were mainly interested in Ozzy Osbourne, prompting Schwartz to take an unconventional approach by utilizing the company’s outdated ConferenceRoom software to present prewritten questions and edited responses.
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Managing Fan Queries
The original plan was for moderators to communicate fan inquiries by phone, followed by transcribing the band’s responses. However, when questions directed at Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, or Bill Ward were scarce, Schwartz resorted to circulating “canned” questions among the band members.
Schwartz recounted his experience: “I tried to replicate Ozzy’s answers as accurately as possible, despite the poor connection quality. I also had to censor certain words to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere.” Despite his efforts, only a handful of genuine fan questions made it through. At times, Schwartz had to blend what he could decipher from the band with input from their manager, feeling guilty that the session didn’t provide the unfiltered interaction he had envisioned.
Adapting Ozzy’s Responses
Due to subpar audio quality, much of Ozzy Osbourne’s notorious profanity was barely comprehensible. Schwartz frequently typed the “C-word” but had to remove it at his supervisors’ request to ensure the conversation remained appropriate for all audiences. This experience left him disenchanted with the difficulties of hosting an authentic live event in an online format.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Legacy and Cryptocurrency Tribute
Schwartz’s confession coincided with the passing of Ozzy Osbourne on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76. As fans commemorated his legacy, developers unveiled meme coins in his honor. One such token, The Mad Man (OZZY), saw a meteoric rise of over 16,000%, reaching a trading value of $0.0039 and a brief market cap of $3.80 million, before concerns about potential scams and market volatility emerged.
Ripple’s Legal Journey with the SEC
In parallel, Ripple has been making waves in the financial sector. Recently, CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced the company’s decision to withdraw its cross-appeal against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC is also expected to retract its appeal, solidifying Ripple’s $125 million civil penalty and bringing the parties closer to resolving their nearly five-year-long dispute regarding XRP sales and their classification as securities transactions.
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