When Scott Melker, host of The Wolf of All Streets podcast, posed an open question about XRP’s current use case, he reignited a long-standing debate surrounding the token’s real-world value.
His inquiry was straightforward: with global institutions increasingly choosing other blockchains such as Solana and Ethereum for payments and stablecoin infrastructure, what role does XRP still play?
Panos Mekras, co-founder of Anodos Finance and a long-time advocate of the XRP Ledger (XRPL), provided a detailed and structured response to address these concerns from a technical and ecosystem perspective.
XRP’s Design and Core Strengths
Mekras highlighted that XRP’s utility is rooted in the design of the XRPL, which he referred to as one of the earliest decentralized finance (DeFi) networks. He emphasized that XRPL’s architecture enables high-speed, low-cost, and energy-efficient transactions while maintaining neutrality and eliminating counterparty risk.
The real power of XRP lies in XRPL's design as the OG DeFi chain, as @joelkatz also confirmed. Also in the power of the community, as the biggest and most passionate community in the space.
XRP itself is a great neutral, counterparty-free currency and store of value. It was… https://t.co/VFqGoq6IJD
— Panos 🔼🇬🇷 (@panosmek) October 30, 2025
Unlike many blockchain networks that rely on mining or staking incentives, XRPL’s consensus model avoids centralizing influences by removing these economic dependencies. This design choice, according to Mekras, ensures that the system operates efficiently for users without rewarding intermediaries, staying true to the principle of decentralization.
He described XRP as a digital asset that was not only created to improve upon Bitcoin’s limitations in speed, cost, and scalability, but also to integrate more advanced functionalities.
These include built-in decentralized exchange capabilities, native tokenization, and protocol-level smart contract-like features without introducing the same security risks associated with fully programmable contracts.
Real-World Usability and Community Foundation
Mekras underlined that XRP and the XRPL were designed to serve real users and real-world financial applications. He noted that the network’s focus on safety and ease of development makes it attractive to builders, offering protection from common blockchain vulnerabilities such as wallet drains.
Beyond technology, he pointed to the XRP community as a defining strength — describing it as one of the most active and committed groups in the digital asset space, contributing to ecosystem growth and awareness.
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He acknowledged that the ecosystem is not without its challenges. The network needs to expand its total value locked (TVL), improve marketing, attract more quality projects, and strengthen its grant programs to sustain innovation. However, he expressed optimism that these developments are underway and that XRPL continues to progress toward wider recognition and adoption.
Empowerment and Broader Vision
In closing, Mekras reinforced the foundational vision behind XRP: to provide individuals and small businesses with financial autonomy and access to opportunities beyond traditional systems. While Ripple’s institutional focus targets banks and payment corridors, he explained that this broader initiative aims to dismantle entrenched financial hierarchies and establish a fairer framework for value exchange.
Mekras’s response outlined a clear defense of XRP’s purpose — positioning it not as a rival to the latest payment networks, but as a mature, technically sound, and principle-driven ecosystem still evolving toward its original mission of financial inclusivity.
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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