Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse forecasts that the XRP Ledger (XRPL) could capture up to 14% of SWIFT’s global liquidity within five years. This projection positions XRPL as a solution for liquidity provision rather than a replacement for SWIFT’s messaging infrastructure.
Garlinghouse’s outlook coincides with SWIFT’s transition to the ISO 20022 messaging standard, which may enable smoother interoperability with blockchain networks like XRPL. While no formal partnership exists between Ripple and SWIFT, the upgraded standard could facilitate technical alignment between traditional and decentralized finance systems.
The projection leverages XRPL’s technical advantages, including transaction settlements in 3-5 seconds at a fraction of a cent per transfer. This contrasts sharply with SWIFT’s multi-day settlement times and fees ranging from $20 to $50 per transaction.
Recent ecosystem developments include Ripple’s announcement of an EVM-compatible sidechain and enhanced tokenization capabilities for assets like US Treasuries. These expansions, revealed at the XRP Ledger Apex 2025 event, extend XRPL’s utility beyond cross-border payments into broader financial applications.
Regulatory clarity remains pivotal to XRPL’s adoption trajectory, with Ripple’s ongoing SEC lawsuit entering a critical phase. A settlement resolution could reduce market uncertainty and accelerate institutional adoption of XRP-based solutions.