The role of blockchain technology in global payments continues to gain attention as researchers and analysts examine which networks could play a lasting part in financial infrastructure.
In a recent tweet, crypto researcher SMQKE noted Ripple and Stellar as two projects positioned to become dominant forces in blockchain-based financial services, particularly in cross-border payments and correspondent banking.
SMQKE argued that Ripple and Stellar could emerge as a powerful duopoly within the sector, comparing their potential influence to the dominance Visa and Mastercard maintain in traditional payment networks.
The researcher stated that both blockchain protocols already share several characteristics that place them ahead in the race for institutional adoption.
Ripple and Stellar will be the next strongest duopoly in financial services.💯
Similar to VISA and Mastercard’s dominance in the payment networks, these two protocols are positioned to be the blockchain equivalents of these card issuers.🎯
Ripple and Stellar both:
• Focus on… https://t.co/apPQldhVIZ pic.twitter.com/2IOfiwSpnj
— SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) May 8, 2026
Research References Shared by SMQKE
To support the argument, SMQKE attached excerpts from academic and research publications discussing blockchain applications in payment systems. The highlighted sections focused heavily on Ripple and Stellar’s involvement in cross-border remittances and banking infrastructure.
An excerpt explained that both Ripple and Stellar aim to improve cross-border payments with different strategies. The text noted that Ripple focuses heavily on working with banks worldwide to reduce intermediaries, enabling payments to settle quickly and at lower fees through blockchain infrastructure.
The document further stated that Ripple had already established relationships with more than 100 banks globally at the time of the publication. It also explained that Stellar’s focus centered more on serving underbanked and less-developed regions by enabling cheaper access to the global economy.
According to the highlighted passage, both networks use their digital assets to facilitate rapid currency conversion during international transfers. The research described how transactions can move between currencies through XRP or XLM before converting into the destination currency within seconds.
Focus on Correspondent Banking Infrastructure
Another section shared by SMQKE emphasized the role of Ripple and Stellar in correspondent banking systems. The research paper stated that Ripple and Stellar were among the most cited blockchain use cases for remittances and payments in existing academic literature.
The publication specifically noted that only Ripple and Stellar were providing distributed ledger technology applications aimed directly at correspondent banking infrastructures. The authors added that Stellar’s correspondent banking solutions were still developing, while Ripple already possessed a well-documented history of partnerships with banks and money transfer operators.
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The paper also stated that Ripple became the primary focus of that particular research because of the amount of empirical material and institutional partnership data available at the time.
Comparison to Traditional Payment Giants
SMQKE used the attached research to reinforce the comparison between Ripple and Stellar and traditional payment leaders Visa and Mastercard. The post presented both blockchain protocols as infrastructure-focused networks seeking institutional relevance rather than competing solely in speculative cryptocurrency markets.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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