Ripple (XRP): David Schwartz Warns Against XRP Memecoins and FUZZY Rumors

On May 18, 2026, David Schwartz, Chief Technology Officer of Ripple Labs Inc. (XRP), publicly denied rumors that his personal wallet held or supported XRP-based memecoins, including the FUZZY token. These allegations, relayed on social media, were based on screenshots of an XRP wallet attributed to Schwartz, interpreted as implicit support for these speculative assets. Ripple, whose XRP Ledger (XRPL) protocol is primarily used for cross-border transactions, reaffirmed its institutional positioning and its disengagement from unofficial memecoin projects. The facts The rumors emerged after the circulation of screenshots suggesting that Schwartz's wallet contained FUZZY tokens. He immediately clarified his position via a public message, stating that he holds no XRP-related memecoins and does not endorse any speculative projects associated with the protocol. Ripple Labs also reminded that its activity focuses on institutional use cases of XRPL, notably cross-border payments, and not on speculative initiatives. Furthermore, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) protocol is undergoing an upgrade to version 3.1.3, with activation scheduled for May 27, 2026. This update includes fixes for NFTs, domains, and lending tools, according to information from Crypto News. No official statement from Ripple Labs has been made regarding any involvement in the FUZZY project or other memecoins. Why it matters Memecoins, often created without real utility, sometimes exploit the reputation of an established protocol to attract investors. In the case of XRP, the rumors surrounding FUZZY illustrate a recurring phenomenon in the crypto ecosystem, where malicious actors or influencers associate speculative assets with recognized brands to profit from them. Schwartz's clarification underscores the importance of distinguishing personal activities from a company's official positions. On a technical level, this upgrade of XRPL to version 3.1.3 could strengthen the protocol's appeal by improving its features, particularly for developers and businesses. However, the persistent association with memecoins could harm XRP's credibility with institutional investors, despite solid fundamentals. XRP's score according to CryptoScore Pro stands at 58/100, reflecting relative maturity but without MiCA certification at this stage. The 24-hour trading volume for XRP is 857.8 K USD. To watch The activation of the XRPL 3.1.3 upgrade, scheduled for May 27, 2026, which could introduce technical improvements and attract new players. Reactions from major exchanges: a possible listing or delisting of XRP memecoins could act as a catalyst to clarify Ripple Labs' position on these assets. The evolution of the regulatory framework around memecoins, particularly in the EU where the MiCA regulation does not yet apply to these assets. The potential volatility of XRP if similar rumors resurface or if other protocol players publicly support memecoins. The impact of official clarifications from Ripple Labs on how institutional investors and regulators perceive XRP.