In a bold statement signaling a major shift in strategy, Ripple's CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, made it clear that Ripple is no longer just aiming to compete with SWIFT's cross-border messaging system but is targeting the liquidity layer that supports global cash flows.
Speaking at the APEX 2025 event, Garlinghouse outlined Ripple's vision to fundamentally reshape financial infrastructure by making XRP a core asset driving global liquidity.
Beyond messaging: Ripple is playing a bigger game
Traditionally, discussions around alternatives to SWIFT have focused heavily on messaging—protocols like ISO 20022 streamline and standardize communication between banks. But Garlinghouse dismisses the notion that Ripple's goal is simply to compete with SWIFT's messaging system.
"There are messages and there is liquidity. Liquidity belongs to the banks," Garlinghouse explained in a recent interview posted by FinanceBro (@FinanceBroYT) on X. He stated that Ripple's strategy is not to mimic SWIFT's messaging protocols, but to disrupt the very way value moves across borders—by addressing the liquidity issue using blockchain and XRP.
The power of On-Demand Liquidity (ODL)
Ripple's On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) platform, leveraging XRP to facilitate instant cross-border payments, has been deployed in multiple global payment corridors. By eliminating the need for pre-funded accounts, ODL reduces capital requirements for financial institutions and allows for faster, cheaper transactions.
As more banks and payment service providers adopt blockchain-based infrastructure, Ripple's solution is gaining attention. This platform not only simplifies cross-border transactions but also positions XRP as an intermediary currency—a significant advantage in an increasingly fragmented global financial system.
The goal is to achieve 14% of SWIFT's volume
Garlinghouse was unreserved in outlining Ripple's ambitions. He predicts that Ripple could capture 14% of SWIFT's total transaction volume within five years, a goal that underscores the company's growing confidence in the adoption of XRP by institutions.
This forecast is not only based on technological advantages but also reflects Ripple's deeper understanding of the inefficiency of banks, the regulatory environment, and the growing demand for real-time, transparent, and cost-effective payments.
XRP at the Financial Innovation Hub
If Ripple succeeds in embedding itself into the liquidity layer of the global financial system, it will significantly boost the utility and demand for XRP. As a bridge asset in the new financial infrastructure, XRP could become a key driver in the next phase of international finance.
Although there are still many challenges such as regulatory clarity, organizational inertia, and the integration of legacy systems, Garlinghouse's comments suggest that Ripple is playing a long game, not just aiming to compete with SWIFT but also to reshape the financial infrastructure in which the company operates.
In a world where speed, transparency, and efficiency are increasingly non-negotiable, Ripple and XRP may not only participate in the future of finance but also define it.