XRP News Today: Cardano Plans XRP Integration for DeFi Expansion

Cardano co-founder Charles Hoskinson has announced a comprehensive plan to incorporate XRP into the Cardano blockchain, a move aimed at expanding interoperability and reinforcing Cardano’s decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure. The development was recently discussed by George Tung, co-founder of CryptosRus, who described the integration as a major strategic move.

Hoskinson confirmed on June 14 via X that his team is actively developing tools to enable stronger XRP compatibility within Cardano. This includes the introduction of XRP-based DeFi products, integration of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, and participation of XRP holders in upcoming airdrops. These developments mark a significant step in Cardano’s long-term goal of becoming a multi-chain platform.

Among the proposed initiatives is the Glacier Airdrop, now set to take place in Q4 2025. The airdrop will involve the distribution of Midnight tokens, a privacy-oriented token designed for Cardano’s Midnight sidechain, to users on multiple blockchain networks, including XRP. While initially scheduled earlier, the timeline was extended to accommodate broader cross-chain coordination. The aim is to attract XRP users to Cardano’s ecosystem and encourage the adoption of its privacy-enabled solutions.

Cardano’s Lace wallet is also on track to expand its supported assets. Following the successful rollout of Bitcoin support in Lace version 1.22 in April 2025, the next update will include functionality for XRP. This upgrade will allow users to manage XRP alongside native assets such as ADA and Bitcoin from a single interface. The addition of XRP support reflects Cardano’s broader efforts to create a unified and user-friendly environment for managing digital assets. It underscores the project’s commitment to building infrastructure that supports multiple leading cryptocurrencies.

In addition to the wallet and token initiatives, Cardano is working on integrating XRP into its DeFi framework. Current development efforts are focused on establishing decentralized exchanges and cross-chain liquidity pools that leverage XRP’s efficiency and transaction speed. These tools are intended to offer users faster and lower-cost trading options while contributing to Cardano’s overall DeFi expansion. Furthermore, early-stage discussions are taking place between Cardano and Ripple to enable RLUSD, Ripple’s U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, on the Cardano network. Though still under consideration, both entities are exploring the potential benefits of such collaboration. Successful implementation of RLUSD could diversify stablecoin offerings within the Cardano ecosystem and attract a broader user base.

Hoskinson has previously stated that the integration of assets such as Bitcoin and XRP could be central to Cardano’s projected growth over the next several years. He emphasized that supporting projects centered on these cryptocurrencies could help Cardano significantly increase its total value locked (TVL), potentially exceeding that of competing blockchains like Solana and Ethereum. By committing to cross-chain integration and fostering partnerships with major crypto assets, Cardano is positioning itself as a competitive force in the evolving DeFi landscape. Hoskinson’s strategy appears focused on building infrastructure that facilitates accessibility, interoperability, and growth through targeted collaborations, particularly with Ripple and the XRP community.