SWIFT, the backbone of global payments, has begun testing Ripple’s XRP Ledger as it prepares to move to the ISO 20022 standard in 2025. That might sound technical, but for XRP holders, it is very important. If the tests go well, XRP could become a bridge asset that moves money across borders faster and cheaper than anything the banking system uses today.
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Right now, international payments through SWIFT can take up to five days and cost $26 to $50 per transfer. XRP (XRP-USD) can do the same in under four seconds for less than a fraction of a cent. If banks start using it at scale, demand for XRP could skyrocket, and so could XRP’s price.
Ripple Builds a Case for Real Utility
Ripple is not waiting for SWIFT to make up its mind. The company is already building momentum with partnerships like the one with SBI in Japan. That deal introduced a Ripple stablecoin, RLUSD, to make converting between cash and crypto faster and smoother. Each time XRP is used as the bridge in these transactions, it adds to the token’s utility.
Utility is what ultimately drives value. The more institutions that use XRP in daily operations, the more consistent demand there will be for the token. That is a very different story from pure speculation. It is why many analysts argue XRP’s price has room to run once adoption kicks in.
The Real Opportunity Is Liquidity
The real opportunity is in liquidity. Analysts estimate that if just 1% of SWIFT’s $150 trillion in annual transactions moved through XRP, it could generate $1.5 trillion in demand for the asset. Even a sliver of SWIFT’s market could be enough to push XRP to levels traders have only speculated about so far.
That possibility is what has XRP investors watching these tests so closely. A working integration with SWIFT could transform XRP from a volatile altcoin into a critical part of global finance. And if that happens, today’s price levels may look like a bargain in hindsight.
Competitors Try to Keep Up
Of course, XRP is not the only blockchain vying for this role. SWIFT is also testing Hedera Hashgraph and could consider others. These platforms may offer higher throughput or different designs. But Ripple has something its rivals do not: years of partnerships with banks and regulators, and a proven track record of actually moving money.
That first-mover advantage matters. It gives XRP a head start in being the token that institutions already trust. Competitors will have to prove not only that their systems work but also that they can navigate compliance in a way Ripple already has.
Key Takeaway
The real takeaway is that XRP is no longer just playing defense around support levels. The SWIFT trials point to a future where XRP demand is tied directly to global financial flows. If adoption takes hold, the upside for price is significant.
That is why many traders see today’s consolidation as the calm before a major move. If the SWIFT story develops in Ripple’s favor, XRP could shift from testing support near $2.85 to chasing much higher targets. The tests may be technical, but the market impact could be explosive.
At the time of writing, XRP is sitting at $2.8048.
