Ripple CTO Backs ZK Proofs as Future of Blockchain Privacy

Ripple CTO David Schwartz is reigniting discussions around zero-knowledge proofs (ZK proofs), predicting their potential to revolutionize blockchain privacy and scalability. The conversation began on X when a user argued that private ledgers are technically unfeasible and unsupported by the XRP Ledger (XRPL). In response, another user resurfaced Schwartz’s 2019 tweet envisioning a network of private XRP-based ledgers. Schwartz had described a model where 100 separate groups could operate low-fee private ledgers, bridging to the public XRP Ledger as needed.

Revisiting the topic, Schwartz emphasized that ZK proofs now make this vision more practical and secure, stating, “You can come fairly close to the security and decentralization guarantees of a layer one.” While acknowledging that the use cases are still emerging, he remains optimistic about future applications.

ZK proofs are cryptographic tools that verify information without revealing the underlying data, enabling privacy-preserving blockchain transactions. Their integration could bridge the gap between decentralized systems and private transaction networks—enhancing scalability without sacrificing transparency or security.

Schwartz’s remarks align with sentiments shared by Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin. In an April blog post, Buterin highlighted the growing threats to privacy from AI-powered data analytics and proposed ZK-based solutions for selective data disclosure. He cited advanced technologies like ZK-SNARKs and fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) as promising tools to protect user identity while maintaining trust and compliance.

Together, these insights from leading blockchain developers suggest that ZK proofs could play a pivotal role in future decentralized ecosystems, providing the privacy layer needed for both institutional and retail adoption.