Despite securing over 300 partnerships with banks worldwide, Ripple has yet to fully unlock the potential of the XRP Ledger, largely due to regulatory hurdles and reliance on the centralized RippleNet system. However, with ongoing technological upgrades, stablecoin integration, and transaction volumes surpassing 70 million, XRP’s growth outlook is strengthening. Some optimistic forecasts suggest XRP could reach nearly $27 by 2030.
Bank Deals Abound, but XRP Ledger Remains Underused
Ripple has long positioned itself as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain innovation. Yet, according to CTO David Schwartz, most banks in Ripple’s network currently use RippleNet — a centralized payment infrastructure — to settle cross-border transactions in fiat currencies, bypassing the decentralized XRP Ledger (XRPL). As a result, on-chain activity for XRP has not scaled as expected.
Ripple has recently upgraded the XRP Ledger to improve scalability and cross-network compatibility. According to Ainvest, the network has processed over 70 million transactions, mainly driven by increased stablecoin use. This marks a strategic pivot toward attracting fintech firms and crypto-native companies.
In addition, Ripple is addressing past issues — such as the loss of 32,000 ledger blocks during a 2025 test phase — in preparation for future scaling.
The regulatory landscape is also becoming more favorable. A 2025 U.S. crypto policy report recognized XRP Ledger for its efficient consensus mechanism, which offers faster and cheaper transactions than Bitcoin’s proof-of-work. Meanwhile, ISO 20022 standards are set to integrate with RippleNet by July 2025, potentially opening the door for XRP’s wider use in global payments.
Ripple’s Own Bank: A Potential Game-Changer
Despite this momentum, institutional adoption remains slow due to concerns over compliance and transparency. Ripple is working to address these issues by building regulatory-friendly tools and partnering with custody provider Metaco. Notably, the company’s plan to launch its own bank by November 2025 could mark a major shift, enabling direct XRP Ledger operations and unlocking significant liquidity.
With XRP currently trading around $2.90 and showing strong trading volume, the asset appears stable amid ongoing upgrades and speculation over a potential ETF. If Ripple can successfully align technology, regulation, and institutional adoption, XRP could evolve from a promising asset into a core component of global finance.
