XRP News Today: ADA and XRP Touted as ISO 20022 Bridges as Critics Dispute Compliance Claims

XRP and Cardano's ADA are drawing renewed attention as the November 22, 2025, deadline for SWIFT's ISO 20022 migration looms, with proponents highlighting their potential to bridge traditional and decentralized finance. Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, has publicly aligned ADA with ISO 20022-compliant blockchains like XRP, HBAR, and ALGO, calling the standard "necessary to open banking".

However, critics argue that no cryptocurrency is inherently ISO 20022 compliant, emphasizing that the standard governs financial messaging infrastructure rather than digital assets themselves.

ISO 20022: A Catalyst for Blockchain Adoption?

The ISO 20022 standard, developed by the International Organization for Standardization, defines a structured format for financial transactions, replacing older text-based systems with metadata-rich XML/JSON formats. This shift aims to streamline cross-border payments, securities settlements, and institutional workflows, with SWIFT mandating its adoption for global banking. As of November 2025, over 80% of financial institutions are expected to have transitioned to ISO 20022, though central banks and legacy systems continue to lag.

Hoskinson's advocacy positions ADA as a "bridge asset" capable of integrating with ISO 20022 infrastructure, leveraging Cardano's smart contract capabilities to facilitate interoperability between traditional banks and blockchain networks. XRP, already embedded in Ripple's enterprise solutions, has similarly been touted for its role in cross-border payments, with RippleNet's APIs designed to align with ISO 20022 messaging protocols.

The Compliance Debate

While Hoskinson and Ripple highlight infrastructure compatibility, validators and analysts stress that no cryptocurrency token is "ISO 20022 compliant." Vet, an XRP Ledger validator, clarified on social media that "XRP and ADA are not ISO 20022 compliant. No cryptocurrency is," noting that the standard applies to messaging systems, not digital assets. Ripple's compliance, he explained, stems from its enterprise software, not the XRP token itself.

This distinction is critical: ISO 20022 compatibility enables blockchains to interact with traditional financial systems but does not guarantee adoption. For instance, Ripple's integration allows banks to send ISO 20022 messages via RippleNet without altering their workflows, yet actual adoption hinges on institutional demand and regulatory alignment. Similarly, Cardano's inclusion in ISO 20022 discussions remains speculative, with no evidence of direct involvement in the standard's development.

Market Dynamics and Price Projections

Amid the technical debate, XRP's price action has sparked optimism. Trading near $2.42 as of November 12, 2025, XRP has held above key support levels, with analysts like Ali Martinez suggesting it could surge to $6 if institutional accumulation continues. This bullish outlook coincides with Ethereum ETF outflows-exceeding $107 million on November 11-prompting speculation that capital is rotating into alternative assets like XRP. This rotation has been noted by analysts as a key market development.

ADA, meanwhile, faces less immediate price pressure but benefits from Hoskinson's strategic positioning. By aligning with ISO 20022, Cardano aims to expand ADA's utility in institutional settings, particularly in cross-border settlements and smart contract-driven financial workflows.

The Road Ahead

As SWIFT's deadline approaches, the success of ISO 20022-aligned blockchains will depend on their ability to demonstrate real-world adoption. Ripple's existing partnerships and enterprise-grade solutions give it an edge, while Cardano's focus on regulatory engagement and smart contracts could attract institutional interest. However, both face stiff competition from other ISO 20022-ready networks like Hedera (HBAR) and Algorand (ALGO), which are also vying for a role in the evolving financial landscape.

For now, the market remains divided between optimism and skepticism. While ISO 20022 offers a framework for blockchain integration, the ultimate value of XRP, ADA, and their peers will hinge on their capacity to deliver tangible use cases-and not just marketing narratives.

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