In a forceful rebuttal to growing skepticism, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has declared that critics questioning the company’s commitment to its native XRP token have “lost the plot.” The statement comes as Ripple aggressively pursues a corporate-focused strategy for the XRP Ledger, buoyed by key regulatory developments and landmark partnerships with traditional finance giants.
“Anyone who thinks that Ripple is not 100% behind XRP is just missing. They have lost the plot. We are totally committed and will remain totally committed,” Garlinghouse stated, emphasizing XRP’s established role as a bridge currency in facilitating cross-border settlements.
This strong vote of confidence is set against a backdrop of significant momentum for the San Francisco-based company. Following a pivotal legal victory against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last summer—a case closely tracked by legal analysts at Reuters—Ripple has moved from a defensive posture to an aggressive growth strategy.
The Corporate Trajectory of XRP Ledger
Garlinghouse’s vision is firmly centered on integrating the XRP Ledger into the fabric of global finance. The most compelling evidence of this is Ripple’s ongoing testing with SWIFT, the world’s leading provider of secure financial messaging services. Alongside Hedera (HBAR), Ripple’s technology is being evaluated in a pilot program that could redefine international transactions.
The ambition is staggering. Garlinghouse has forecast that Ripple could eventually capture 14% of SWIFT’s annualized transaction volume. Given that SWIFT facilitates over $155 trillion per year—a figure verified by financial data from SWIFT’s own insights—even a fractional capture would represent a multi-trillion dollar flow through the XRP ecosystem.
This isn’t merely theoretical. Ripple’s payment settlement network, which leverages XRP for on-demand liquidity, is already operational with major institutions like Santander, SEB, and TransferGo, demonstrating real-world utility beyond speculative trading.
A Perfect Storm of Positive Catalysts
The bullish outlook for 2025 is fueled by a confluence of factors:
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Regulatory Clarity: The conclusion of the SEC lawsuit removed a major cloud of uncertainty hanging over XRP. Furthermore, as reported by CoinDesk, the progression of favorable stablecoin legislation in the U.S. creates a more predictable regulatory environment for the entire digital asset industry, benefiting established players like Ripple.
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Institutional Adoption: The SWIFT testing, scheduled for Q4 2025, represents a monumental step toward mainstream financial acceptance. Success in this arena would position XRP as a critical utility asset for institutional settlement.
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Proven Technology: Ripple’s existing partnerships with globally recognized brands serve as a live testament to the scalability and efficiency of its technology, building a compelling case for other risk-averse financial institutions to follow suit.
By aligning with traditional finance giants while navigating the complex regulatory landscape, Ripple is executing a corporate playbook that positions XRP not as a mere cryptocurrency, but as a foundational pillar for the next generation of global payments. For skeptics, the evidence of this commitment is now harder than ever to ignore.
