XRP News Today: Ripple's Custody Play Could Force SWIFT to Rebuild or Retreat

Ripple Custody has projected that 10% of global assets could be tokenized by 2030, driven by the expansion of regulated digital asset custody services. According to Ripple, this development is expected to be fueled by the growing adoption of stablecoins and tokenized securities among institutions. The firm estimates that the total value of crypto assets under custody could reach $16 trillion, reflecting a significant shift in how financial assets are managed and transferred globally. Ripple Custody attributes this growth to its enterprise-grade key storage solutions, secure custody infrastructure, and integrations with regulated partners, including financial institutions such as Société Générale. These partnerships, along with Ripple’s technological advancements, have helped the firm establish credibility and streamline compliance processes for institutional clients.

A critical factor in Ripple’s tokenization vision is the XRPL Credentials amendment, which enhances regulatory reporting and enables the creation, acceptance, and deletion of on-ledger credentials. This feature allows institutions to encode KYC/AML attestations directly onto the XRP Ledger, thereby improving transparency and reducing off-chain reconciliation steps. The amendment also supports cross-border token transfers and provides verifiable on-chain attestations, increasing institutional confidence in the XRP Ledger as a settlement rail. By reducing barriers for companies seeking to build compliant infrastructure, Ripple aims to accelerate the tokenization of assets across multiple sectors, including real estate, treasury, and corporate finance. The firm’s strategic focus on compliance, security, and interoperability positions it as a key player in the evolving digital asset landscape.

Ripple Custody is already trusted by banks in over 15 countries, demonstrating the growing institutional appetite for secure custody solutions. The platform offers a range of tools, including full stablecoin lifecycle management and automated governance features, which help institutions streamline settlement processes and reduce operational risk. Notable examples include Société Générale FORGE’s launch of EURCV, a euro-backed stablecoin on the XRP Ledger, and BDACS’ use of Ripple’s RLUSD for institutional payment solutions in South Korea. These case studies highlight Ripple’s ability to support large-scale stablecoin operations, which are becoming increasingly essential for global payments and settlement infrastructure. With the demand for efficient cross-border solutions rising, Ripple’s infrastructure is being positioned to meet the needs of a rapidly tokenizing financial ecosystem.

The broader financial ecosystem is also shifting in favor of blockchain-based solutions, particularly in cross-border payments. Ripple’s XRP Ledger has gained traction for its ability to settle transactions in seconds with minimal fees, contrasting sharply with traditional systems like SWIFT, which can take days and incur higher costs. Ripple’s stablecoin initiatives, including the acquisition of Rail for $200 million, further underscore its strategy to dominate the cross-border payments space. The integration of Rail’s stablecoin infrastructure with Ripple’s custody and payment platforms is expected to create an end-to-end solution for institutional users seeking efficient and transparent transactions. Additionally, Ripple’s application for a U.S. national bank charter signals its intent to operate under federal oversight, which could enhance its credibility with conservative financial institutions and facilitate smoother regulatory compliance.

In parallel, SWIFT has taken steps to integrate blockchain technology into its existing infrastructure, exploring collaborations with networks like the XRP Ledger and Hedera. These initiatives, aligned with ISO 20022 standards, aim to assess how public blockchains can complement SWIFT’s messaging network. However, some SWIFT executives remain skeptical about the long-term viability of blockchain-based solutions, emphasizing the importance of neutral governance and institutional trust in global finance. Despite these challenges, the tokenization of assets and the adoption of digital payment rails are gaining momentum. Ripple’s ability to provide secure, compliant, and efficient solutions may enable it to capture a significant share of the market, particularly in niches such as remittances, stablecoin corridors, and institutional settlements. As the financial industry continues to evolve, the competition and potential convergence between blockchain and traditional systems will shape the future of global asset management and cross-border payments.

Source:

[1] Ripple's Bold Bet: Tokenization to Redefine Global Finance (https://www.fxleaders.com/news/2025/09/05/ripples-bold-bet-tokenization-to-redefine-global-finance/)

[2] Ripple Custody Targets $16T Tokenization Market With Institutional-Grade Security (https://coinpedia.org/news/ripple-custody-targets-16t-tokenization-market-with-institutional-grade-security/)

[3] Ripple vs. SWIFT: The Battle for Cross-Border Payments—What You Need to Know (https://www.ccn.com/education/crypto/ripple-vs-swift-blockchain-banking-behemoth/)