XRP como la infraestructura fundamental de la Internet de Valores

In the evolving landscape of global finance, the concept of the "Internet of Value" has emerged as a transformative framework, redefining how value is transferred across borders. At the forefront of this movement is XRP, the native asset of Ripple's XRP Ledger, which is increasingly positioned as the backbone of institutional-grade value transfer. With Ripple's recent regulatory milestones, cross-border payment innovations, and CEO Brad Garlinghouse's visionary analogies to the early internet, XRP is not merely a speculative asset but a strategic infrastructure play for 2026's financial transformation.

Regulatory Credibility: Ripple's U.K. EMI License as a Catalyst

Ripple's recent approval of an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license and Cryptoasset Registration by the U.K.'s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) marks a pivotal step in legitimizing XRP as institutional infrastructure. As of January 9, 2026, Ripple Markets UK Ltd, the company's U.K. subsidiary, is now authorized to operate within one of the world's most stringent regulatory frameworks, enabling it to scale its Ripple Payments platform for cross-border transactions using digital assets. This license underscores Ripple's commitment to compliance, a critical factor for institutional adoption.

The EMI license allows Ripple to offer regulated services to businesses, including cross-border payment solutions, while adhering to anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) standards. However, operational constraints remain: Ripple Markets UK cannot serve retail customers or operate cryptocurrency ATMs without additional FCA approvals. These restrictions highlight the phased approach to regulatory integration but also emphasize the company's focus on institutional clients, aligning with its long-term strategy to build a globally compliant digital asset infrastructure.

Cross-Border Payments: XRP as the Bridge Currency

Ripple's XRP Ledger is central to its mission of revolutionizing cross-border payments. By leveraging XRP as a bridge currency, financial institutions can bypass traditional correspondent banking systems, which are often slow, costly, and opaque. According to Ripple, XRP enables near-instant transactions at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods, making it an attractive solution for banks and payment providers seeking efficiency.

This innovation is particularly relevant in markets like Asia, where cross-border payment volumes are projected to grow significantly. Ripple's technology allows institutions to settle transactions in seconds, regardless of currency pairs or geographic boundaries, reducing liquidity risks and operational complexity. For example, a bank in Japan can use XRP to facilitate a payment to a partner in Brazil without holding multiple foreign reserves, thereby optimizing capital usage.

Strategic Infrastructure Investment: XRP's Role in the Internet of Value

Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple's CEO, has consistently framed XRP as the "TCP/IP of value," drawing a direct analogy to the early internet. Just as TCP/IP protocols standardized data transmission, Ripple's Interledger Protocol aims to standardize value transfer across disparate financial systems, enabling interoperability. This vision positions XRP not as a speculative token but as a foundational layer for global financial infrastructure.

Garlinghouse's analogy is compelling because it highlights the long-term utility of XRP. In the early 1990s, TCP/IP was not a consumer product but a protocol that eventually enabled the internet's explosive growth. Similarly, XRP is being adopted by institutions as a tool to streamline cross-border payments, with its value derived from its role in facilitating real-world transactions rather than speculative demand.

Moreover, Ripple's legal challenges with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have not deterred institutional adoption. Garlinghouse has emphasized that the company's technology is designed for practical applications, not speculative use, and that resolving regulatory uncertainties could unlock significant growth. This resilience underscores XRP's potential as a strategic asset, particularly as global regulators increasingly recognize the need for digital infrastructure.

The Investment Case: XRP as a Must-Own Asset

For investors, XRP represents a unique opportunity to participate in the infrastructure layer of the Internet of Value. Unlike speculative crypto assets, XRP's value is tied to its utility in institutional-grade payments, a market that is expanding as global trade becomes more digitized. Ripple's EMI license in the U.K. is a testament to its ability to navigate regulatory landscapes, a critical factor for long-term viability.

Furthermore, the parallels to the early internet suggest that XRP could follow a similar trajectory. Just as TCP/IP became the backbone of global communication, XRP has the potential to become the backbone of global value transfer. This analogy is not merely theoretical; it is supported by Ripple's growing client base, including major banks and payment providers that are integrating its solutions into their operations.

Conclusion

XRP's role in the Internet of Value is not a fleeting trend but a strategic infrastructure play with long-term implications. Ripple's U.K. EMI license, cross-border payment advancements, and Garlinghouse's visionary comparisons to the early internet collectively build a compelling case for XRP as a must-own asset in 2026. As global financial systems continue to digitize, XRP's position as a bridge currency and foundational protocol will likely solidify its place in the next era of finance.