The ongoing evolution of the financial landscape has led to discussions around the potential role of XRP as a neutral bridge asset, particularly for banks and financial institutions that may lack trust in rival stablecoins. This comes as the trend toward tokenizing real-world assets continues to gain traction, especially following the enactment of the GENIUS Act last year.
In recent months, major financial players have shown an increasing interest in launching their own stablecoins. Companies such as PayPal, WLFI, and Ripple have already stepped into this arena, with several others likely to follow suit. This surge in stablecoin development raises questions about the potential obsolescence of XRP”s role as a cross-border settlement solution.
For example, SoFi Bank, N.A. recently launched SoFiUSD, marking it as the first national U.S. bank to issue a fully backed stablecoin on a public blockchain, starting with Ethereum. This stablecoin promises instant settlement features and support for partner institutions. Meanwhile, in Europe, a consortium of major banks, including Danske Bank and ING, is planning to introduce a euro stablecoin in compliance with MiCA regulations, with a targeted launch in the latter half of 2026.
Despite the burgeoning interest in institutional stablecoins, some critics believe that XRP”s significance could diminish. However, advocates for XRP argue the contrary, suggesting that banks may prefer not to rely on stablecoins issued by their direct competitors. Jake Claver, CEO of Digital Ascension Group, emphasized this perspective, noting that banks might hesitate to trust each other”s digital currencies, potentially leading to an increase in funds held in nostro and vostro accounts. Currently, these accounts hold approximately $27 trillion globally, a number that could rise significantly as tokenization becomes more widespread.
In light of these dynamics, many believe that the demand for a neutral bridge asset could drive banks toward XRP. This sentiment is echoed by Claver, who posits that XRP is well-positioned to fulfill this role since it is not owned or issued by any single bank.
If this scenario unfolds, the implications for XRP”s price could be profound. To gauge the potential impact, we consulted with Grok from xAI, who analyzed the effects of banks adopting XRP over competing stablecoins, especially in a context where the value in nostro and vostro accounts could surge to $50 trillion. Grok”s assessment indicated that if XRP were to replace pre-funded accounts with real-time settlement, its price could reach between $100 and $250 by 2030, assuming it facilitates 10-20% of global settlement flows. This projection represents a substantial increase from the current price of approximately $2.11.
Grok further highlighted that ongoing adoption, liquidity growth, and Ripple“s advancements in On-Demand Liquidity will contribute to this potential outcome. However, it is essential to recognize that Claver”s predictions are not guaranteed. Moreover, even if banks lean toward utilizing XRP due to trust issues with competitor stablecoins, the actual response of XRP”s price to this newfound utility remains uncertain.
