Some argue that Ripple's crypto asset makes no sense for the banking sector.
Certain users believe that an agreement between both parties could drive up the value of XRP.
With XRP rising more than 300% in the past year, could the token integrate with the SWIFT network and revolutionize global payments? This debate, which has long been simmering in the community, intensifies now that the market's eyes are on this asset. While some see Ripple's cryptocurrency as a tool to optimize cross-border transactions, others question whether an alliance with SWIFT is feasible or even necessary.
To understand the debate at hand, it is important to know what SWIFT is. It is a global network used by banks and other financial institutions to make international payments securely and efficiently. It is a key system for the functioning of international trade and finance.
On Reddit, the topic of a possible alliance between XRP and SWIFT emerged. The debate began from a comment questioning which digital asset currently has real utility beyond speculation. From there, several users revisited the case of XRP, especially in relation to its potential integration with the SWIFT system.
Some, like tmo_slc, question the idea that XRP could replace SWIFT, pointing out that this organization has already developed pilot projects alongside Chainlink. According to their view, SWIFT will not be replaced but will continue to evolve constantly to integrate other types of solutions.
For a long time, XRP was embroiled in a legal battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) led by Gary Gensler. The case, which was eventually dismissed — although it took a change of administration to reach that outcome — marked a milestone with the classification of XRP as a commodity, a crucial step that clears the way for partnerships with traditional financial systems. With the arrival of Paul Atkins, a more moderate regulator, the community believes that this could be a "license" for Ripple to explore integrations with already established networks.
For example, tmo_slc questions the idea that XRP could replace SWIFT, pointing out that this organization has already developed pilot projects alongside Chainlink. According to their view, SWIFT will not be replaced but will continue to evolve constantly to integrate other types of solutions.
In response to tmo_slc, user mpurtle01 offered a similar view, arguing that the focus of the debate should be on how XRP could integrate into the SWIFT system. According to their proposal, SWIFT will evolve by incorporating electronic payments with cryptocurrencies, and XRP would play a key role in that process. They also highlight that a possible collaboration between the two could be highly successful, allowing XRP to optimize SWIFT's cross-border payments and handle large transaction volumes.
It is worth noting that SWIFT is actively exploring digital asset interoperability, conducting tests for six months with 38 institutions, including central banks from Australia, France, Germany, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Czech Republic, as well as commercial banks like Citibank, HSBC, Santander, and Deutsche Bank. With these tests, they sought to connect central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) from different countries to reduce fragmentation in payment systems.
The discussion about this topic has also spread to other platforms, such as social media X, where the account americaXRPL interprets the possible rapprochement between XRP and SWIFT as a sign of a changing era. "Isn't it fascinating how traditional systems like SWIFT are now looking to collaborate with innovative solutions like XRP? Just as the printing press revolutionized communication, blockchain could transform the financial system," expressed the profile, celebrating the idea of collaboration as a bridge towards a more inclusive economy.
What does XRP gain from an alliance with SWIFT?
On the other hand, there were even more enthusiastic reactions, such as that of user Kenny Nguyen, who shared photos of a note. It suggests that if Ripple manages to go beyond and position itself as a real alternative to SWIFT, the value of XRP could skyrocket extraordinarily.
A possible alliance between XRP and SWIFT could transform the outlook for holders of the crypto asset. Integration with a network that connects over 11,000 financial institutions would accelerate the adoption of XRP, positioning it as a key tool for fast and efficient cross-border payments. This would increase its practical utility in the global financial system, attracting more investors and strengthening its long-term relevance.
Although the possibility of this collaboration remains a rumor, the mere fact that it is discussed with so much interest reflects the place Ripple has managed to occupy within the ecosystem. Over the years, its community has maintained unwavering support, with renewed enthusiasm even in the face of the difficult legal battle against the SEC. This constant backing is a clear reflection of the confidence that XRP followers have in its future and its potential within the global financial system.
A new regulatory chapter: Is this the door for XRP and SWIFT?
The recent appointment of Paul Atkins as president of the SEC has fueled the hopes of the XRP community for a more favorable regulatory environment. Unlike Gary Gensler, whose management was seen as an obstacle for cryptocurrencies, Atkins promises to foster innovation while protecting investors, an approach that could accelerate the definitive closure of the case between Ripple and the agency, which still requires the submission of final writings. The classification of XRP as a commodity, achieved after the dismissal of the litigation, removes legal barriers and opens the door for Ripple to explore partnerships with traditional financial systems or strengthen its competition against them, such as SWIFT. Now, it remains to be seen if the company's executives maintain the vision they had a few years ago. Indeed, before the SEC lawsuit temporarily interrupted Ripple's momentum, Brad Garlinghouse, the firm's CEO, made it clear that the firm's goal was not to integrate with SWIFT but to surpass it. Rumors about a possible collaboration between both networks circulated as early as 2018, but Garlinghouse denied them. However, more than six years have passed since then, and no statements have been explicitly made to deny this possibility.
The possibility that XRP could capture even a small fraction of SWIFT's daily transaction volume has generated strong enthusiasm within the Ripple community, fueling speculation about a potential exponential increase in the token's price. SWIFT is estimated to process around 5 trillion dollars per day, and if XRP were to handle just 15% of that volume — about USD 750 billion daily — the impact on its valuation could be disruptive. Currently, with a price close to USD 2.2 and a daily trading volume of USD 5.81 billion according to TradingView data, XRP is still far from reaching those figures. Nevertheless, many see this opportunity as a possible path for the token to reach double-digit values.