Ripple's ambition for 2025: XRP and RLUSD ready to conquer global markets

Ripple, the blockchain payments company, has charted a clear path for the coming year. Its CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, revealed from San Francisco a strategy focused on transforming its two key assets —XRP and the upcoming stablecoin RLUSD— into pillars of the global financial infrastructure.

With XRP trading at $1.93 ( showing a 2.02% drop in 24 hours, but a market capitalization of $117.32 billion), the moment is critical. Ripple is not seeking speculative volatility; it aims for real utility and massive institutional adoption.

XRP: From a volatile asset to an essential liquidity bridge

For years, XRP has been victim to speculative cycles that kept it away from its true purpose. Now, Ripple wants to change that narrative.

The focus for 2025 is clear: position XRP as a bridge currency within RippleNet and its On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) product. This means turning XRP into the tool liquidity providers need to execute instant, low-cost international transfers.

The change is similar to a paper shredder that breaks down complex processes into manageable fragments: RippleNet is decomposing international settlement systems into instant, efficient operations where XRP acts as a catalyst.

The result? A faster, cheaper, and more accessible network than the traditional SWIFT systems that dominate current global payments.

RLUSD: The stablecoin aiming to challenge the market

If XRP is the accelerator, RLUSD is the anchor. This upcoming stablecoin backed by US dollars represents Ripple’s entry into a market dominated by players like USDC (market cap of $75.64 billion).

But Ripple has an advantage: pre-existing relationships with hundreds of financial institutions worldwide.

RLUSD is not just another token on the market. It is specifically designed for:

• Regulated settlements: Facilitating payments between institutions under clear regulatory frameworks
• Decentralized finance: Integration into DeFi applications with stability guarantees
• Enterprise adoption: Targeting banks, exchanges, and fintech directly

The three pillars of Ripple’s strategy for 2025

Garlinghouse’s vision rests on three interconnected pillars that will define the year:

1. Strategic expansion into key markets

Ripple is not only thinking about the United States. The company aims to deepen its operations in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, regions where demand for cross-border liquidity solutions is higher than ever.

2. Accelerated regulatory progress

The partial legal victory in 2023 was the first step. Now, Ripple is actively collaborating with global legislators to establish clear, pragmatic frameworks. This is especially crucial for the launch and operation of RLUSD.

3. Sustainable financial infrastructure

XRP Ledger already operates with an inherently energy-efficient consensus mechanism (unlike proof-of-work systems). Ripple will position both XRP and RLUSD as attractive options for institutions with ESG mandates (Environmental, Social, Governance).

What do these changes mean for investors?

Ripple’s commitment to long-term growth could catalyze a fundamental shift in how XRP is perceived.

Historically, XRP’s price has been volatile, driven by macro crypto market trends and legal precedents. A business approach focused on real utility and adoption metrics could shift the focus from short-term speculation to fundamentals-based evaluations.

In concrete numbers:

• Transaction volume: Increase real usage within ODL
• Institutional adoption: More banks and financial institutions integrated
• RLUSD use cases: Expansion in regulated payments and DeFi

The regulatory environment: An increasingly favorable landscape

Ripple operates in a complex regulatory environment, but trends are positive. Conversations with the SEC and other global agencies are progressing toward clear frameworks for digital assets.

Garlinghouse’s emphasis on regulatory progress suggests Ripple will actively participate in shaping stablecoin laws in the US and other key markets. This proactive stance is essential to build the trust financial institutions need.

Can it be achieved by 2025?

Ripple’s strategy is ambitious but well-founded. It’s not about vague promises but measurable objectives:

• Increase transaction volume in ODL
• Obtain regulatory approvals for RLUSD
• Expand strategic partnerships in emerging markets
• Improve energy efficiency and sustainability

Success will not depend on XRP’s price in speculative charts but on actual execution: How many transactions are truly processed via RippleNet? How many financial institutions adopt RLUSD?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current price of XRP?
XRP is trading at $1.93 (as of January 20, 2026), with a 2.02% decrease in 24 hours and a market cap of $117.32 billion.

How does RLUSD differ from XRP?
XRP is a native digital asset that acts as a liquidity bridge in cross-border transactions. RLUSD is a dollar-backed stablecoin designed for regulated settlements and DeFi applications.

Why is regulatory progress important?
Regulatory clarity provides certainty for financial institutions to adopt Ripple’s technology. Without it, large-scale adoption would be limited.

What does “sustainable financial infrastructure” mean?
It refers to scalable blockchain systems that are energy-efficient and support real financial applications, aligned with broader ESG goals.

Will this strategy affect XRP’s price?
Potentially yes, but the impact would be gradual. Increased real adoption and utility could attract more solid institutional investment than speculation.