Ripple is setting ambitious goals for XRP. At the recent XRPL Apex Conference in Singapore, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse shared a bold projection: XRP could absorb up to 14% of SWIFT’s transaction volume within the next five years.
Garlinghouse emphasized that while SWIFT operates through a combination of messaging and liquidity layers, Ripple aims to focus on the liquidity aspect. By leveraging XRP as a bridge asset for international settlements, Ripple believes it can streamline and outpace traditional cross-border payment systems.
“If you control liquidity, you control the system. I see XRP doing just that,” Garlinghouse stated.
Why This Matters
SWIFT currently processes the majority of the world’s international transfers. Replacing even a small share of this market could mean billions in volume flowing through XRP, potentially boosting its utility and value. While some speculate about a Ripple–SWIFT collaboration, Ripple’s roadmap suggests it’s targeting SWIFT as a rival, not a partner.
XRP Ledger Expands: EVM Sidechain and Tokenized Treasuries
Beyond payments, Ripple is expanding its tech stack. CTO David Schwartz announced that the long-anticipated XRPL Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) sidechain will launch before the end of Q2 2025. The sidechain, developed with Peersyst, already supports over 80 projects on its testnet.
This development allows Ethereum-based dApps and smart contracts to run on XRPL, potentially opening the door to a more vibrant DeFi scene. Currently, XRPL processes over 33 billion lifetime transactions with 6 million+ active wallets — but most of that is payment-related. The new infrastructure could diversify activity on the network.
In another key move, Ondo Finance will launch its tokenized U.S. Treasuries (OUSG) on XRPL. Investors will be able to mint and redeem OUSG using Ripple’s own RLUSD stablecoin, tying real-world assets into the ecosystem.
Market Reaction: Optimism Meets Reality
Despite the bullish announcements, XRP’s price dropped 3.5% to $2.244 as of June 11, 2025, following Bitcoin’s dip from $110K to $107K. The conference momentum hasn’t yet translated into market gains — a reminder that news alone can’t always fight macro trends.
Still, analysts believe the ongoing XRPL Apex event could deliver more catalysts. Public company Vivo Power is reportedly deploying $100M in XRP into the Flare ecosystem, further signaling growing institutional engagement.
Final Thoughts
Ripple’s long game is clear: replace SWIFT’s liquidity layer, onboard institutional money, and build a smart contract-powered ecosystem on top of XRPL. Whether or not XRP achieves 14% of SWIFT’s volume, the foundation is being laid for real utility beyond hype.
Bottom line for traders: This is a long-term play. If the EVM chain and real-world assets catch traction, XRP might reprice significantly. But with the broader market still fragile, patience is key.
This article is not financial advice. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.
