Ripple Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz and Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson sparked a viral social media exchange on October 14, 2026, after Schwartz posted a photo in front of a sports prediction marketplace billboard featuring actress Sydney Sweeney.
Billboard Selfie Triggers Social Media Exchange
The exchange began when Schwartz posted a selfie captioned "Oops, wrong billboard," standing in front of an advertisement for Novig that featured Sweeney, known for her roles in Euphoria and Anyone But You. Shortly after, Schwartz published a second photo captioned "Got it this time."
Noticing the original photo, Cardano creator Charles Hoskinson replied on X, writing, "I knew she had XRP." The short response circulated quickly across social platforms, prompting memes and jokes about Sweeney holding XRP. No evidence indicates that Sweeney owns XRP or holds any cryptocurrency.
Growth in U.S. Female Crypto Adoption
While the exchange was lighthearted, it coincided with broader demographic shifts in cryptocurrency adoption. According to the 2026 State of Crypto Holders Report, published in May 2026 by the National Cryptocurrency Association and The Harris Poll, female ownership of digital assets in the U.S. grew 10% year-over-year.
The report showed that women comprised 42% of new U.S. crypto holders who entered the market between 2025 and 2026. By comparison, women accounted for 34% of investors who began holding crypto prior to 2025.
Key Takeaways
- David Schwartz posted a billboard selfie featuring Sydney Sweeney, leading Charles Hoskinson to joke that she holds XRP.
- No factual evidence suggests Sydney Sweeney holds XRP or participates in digital asset markets.
- Female investors accounted for 42% of new U.S. crypto entrants between 2025 and 2026, reflecting a 10% annual rise in female ownership.
Why It Matters
Humorous interactions between high-profile founders like Schwartz and Hoskinson demonstrate how online culture drives continuous media attention around top altcoins. While viral memes do not impact ledger mechanics or institutional product metrics like recent XRP ETF performance, they maintain public visibility. Additionally, underlying industry data shows that mainstream participant demographics are steadily expanding, with new female user onboarding rising significantly regardless of celebrity involvement.
