tl;dr
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse outlined a vision to transform global financial infrastructure by focusing on liquidity rather than just replacing SWIFT’s messaging system. He emphasized Ripple’s XRP-powered On-Demand Liquidity platform, which enables cross-border payments without pre-funded accounts, ...
In a recent video shared by FinanceBro (@FinanceBroYT) on X, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse outlined his vision for the future of global financial infrastructure at the APEX 2025 Event. Rather than focusing solely on replacing SWIFT’s messaging system, Ripple aims to revolutionize liquidity — the essential mechanism for moving financial value across borders. Garlinghouse highlighted the dual nature of SWIFT’s system: messaging and liquidity, with banks controlling the latter. Ripple’s long-term goal is to transform how money flows internationally, not just how messages are sent.
Garlinghouse emphasized that while much discussion centers on messaging improvements and ISO 20022 standards, Ripple sees greater opportunity in addressing liquidity challenges directly. By embedding itself within the core of global financial plumbing through its XRP-powered On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) platform, Ripple enables institutions to send funds without the need for pre-funded accounts. As blockchain-based payment networks gain traction, Ripple’s solution becomes increasingly attractive to financial institutions worldwide.
Looking ahead, the CEO predicted that Ripple could capture 14% of SWIFT’s transaction volume within five years, signaling strong confidence in institutional adoption of XRP for cross-border settlements. This projection reflects Ripple’s strategic approach to overcoming legacy banking inefficiencies and cost barriers by focusing on liquidity over messaging. By doing so, Ripple may position itself as both a complement to and eventual replacement for outdated financial systems.
The broader implication is substantial for XRP’s role in future finance. Controlling the liquidity layer of international payments could drive significant demand for XRP as a bridge asset. Garlinghouse’s vision suggests Ripple is preparing for a financial ecosystem where XRP becomes a central player in institutional transactions and innovation, potentially ushering in a new era for cross-border finance.