David Schwartz (데이비드 슈워츠), former chief technology officer of Ripple, said he chose a more stable asset-allocation strategy even as he acknowledged the crypto market's potential for high returns. He said he prioritised peace of mind and long-term financial stability even if that meant missing some major upside.

On May 11, blockchain outlet The Crypto Basic reported that Schwartz recently said on X, formerly Twitter, that he has sharply reduced the share of cryptocurrencies he holds directly and prefers indirect exposure, apart from Ripple stock.

He described crypto as "still a rare opportunity that can create an unusual level of wealth." He made clear, however, that he would not concentrate most of his portfolio in volatile digital assets. He said maintaining greater peace of mind mattered more to him even if he missed some gains.

Schwartz has previously disclosed that he has already sold most of the 26 million XRP he once held. He said he now holds only more than 1 million. He also sharply reduced his exposure to bitcoin and ether. He said he cut his bitcoin holdings from about 1,000 to less than 1 and reduced ether from 4,000 ETH to less than 2 ETH.

He also said he is not what is known as a "Diamond Hand" investor. He said he puts more weight on disciplined risk management and financial stability than on a strategy that aims for maximum returns by holding long term while enduring extreme volatility.

Based on the figures alone, the opportunity cost is substantial. The outlet said that if Schwartz had continued to hold 26 million XRP, the value could have approached $100 million when XRP rose to $3.65 last year. It said 1,000 bitcoin could also have reached a value of about $126.19 million based on peak prices.

But Schwartz said that at the time he was not sure those assets would grow to what they are now. He said he did not invest on the assumption of an extreme price surge and sold a significant portion to reduce risk and secure peace of mind.

He stressed that investment success is not determined only by achieving the highest possible rate of return. He said it is also important whether a strategy can keep someone comfortable over the long term within a level of risk they can bear.

The remarks contrast with an atmosphere in the crypto market in which high-risk, high-return strategies are often highlighted. Schwartz did not deny the market's long-term growth potential, but said that by his standards it was more important to keep risk at a manageable level than to maximise returns.

The market is seeing this not as crypto scepticism but as an example of conservative investing tailored to personal preferences and risk tolerance while recognising high potential returns. In a volatile market environment like recently, an investing philosophy that prioritises long-term stability and psychological leeway over maximising returns is again drawing attention, it said.

I don't have that much left anymore. I've tried to get most of my assets (other than Ripple stock) away from crypto exposure. As I've said, I really don't like risk even though pretty much every risk I've taken has worked out amazingly well for me.