TL;DR
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to XRP at Swell 2026, rejecting claims that its focus on stablecoins signals a retreat from the token.
Ripple views XRP and its dollar-backed stablecoin RLUSD as complementary assets , serving different roles across blockchain payments and financial infrastructure.
Ripple’s expanding institutional partnerships, reported $16 trillion in transaction volume across its products during 2025 , and progress toward regulated banking services reinforce its focus on connecting traditional finance with blockchain technology.
XRP remains central to Ripple’s long-term strategy , according to CEO Brad Garlinghouse , who used the opening of Swell 2026 in New York to address speculation about the company’s commitment to its flagship digital asset. His message was direct. Ripple sees room for both XRP and its stablecoin, RLUSD, as it expands its financial infrastructure.
XRP And RLUSD Have Different Roles In Ripple’s Strategy
Speaking at the annual Swell conference, Garlinghouse pushed back against suggestions that Ripple is prioritizing RLUSD at XRP’s expense. He emphasized that the company does not intend to abandon XRP or make decisions that undermine its ecosystem.
The distinction matters because XRP and RLUSD serve different purposes. XRP is a volatile digital asset that can facilitate transactions and provide liquidity on the XRP Ledger (XRPL). RLUSD, launched in December 2024, is designed to maintain a stable value against the US dollar and support payments, trading and institutional settlement.
Rather than competing directly, the two assets can operate alongside each other. Stablecoins can help businesses move dollar-denominated value onchain , while XRP can serve as a bridge asset in transactions involving different currencies. Their respective roles depend on liquidity, transaction costs, market conditions and how financial institutions choose to use the available infrastructure.
This approach gives Ripple greater flexibility as financial firms explore blockchain-based services without abandoning familiar currencies or established compliance requirements.
Institutional Adoption Strengthens Ripple’s Long-Term Ambitions
Ripple’s latest business developments provide additional context for Garlinghouse’s comments. The company reported that it was on track to reach an annualized product revenue run rate of $900 million by the end of 2026 . It also reported more than $16 trillion in transaction volume enabled across its products during 2025, reflecting activity across its broader business rather than XRP alone.
The company has also expanded its institutional relationships. Ripple reported threefold growth in customers and partners using multiple solutions , including payments, custody, stablecoins and treasury management. BNY, Robinhood and DriveWealth were among the organizations associated with its broader institutional expansion.
Regulatory developments are another important part of the strategy. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency conditionally approved Ripple National Trust Bank’s charter application in December 2025. Ripple announced final approval in connection with Swell 2026, although the charter’s scope and regulatory requirements remain important considerations for its operations.
