Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, has once again drawn attention to XRP’s critical role in Ripple’s payment ecosystem. In a recent post on X, Schwartz remarked, “I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but I’m pretty sure XRP’s use as a bridge in Ripple Payments dwarfs every other asset.”
His comment highlights XRP’s central position in Ripple’s infrastructure and sets the stage for a broader discussion about how XRP and stablecoins are used in today’s digital financial systems.
XRP: The Dominant Bridge in Ripple Payments
Schwartz’s statement reinforces what Ripple has long maintained: XRP is the core bridge asset for cross-border transfers within its payment network. This isn’t by chance. XRP is natively integrated into the XRP Ledger (XRPL), allowing for automatic pathfinding between currencies and seamless asset bridging, capabilities that few digital assets can match.
I don't have the numbers in front of me, but I'm pretty sure XRP's use as a bridge in Ripple Payments dwarfs every other asset.
I think stablecoins win for collateral use cases (volatile collateral is annoying) and edge use cases (volatility at the on/off ramps is also…
— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) July 30, 2025
Ripple’s on-demand liquidity (ODL) product relies on XRP to settle transactions in seconds without the need for pre-funded accounts. With throughput of up to 1,500 transactions per second and near-instant settlement, XRP dramatically reduces friction and cost for global transfers. These advantages make it the preferred asset in Ripple’s liquidity corridors, giving it a dominant footprint in real-time value movement across currencies.
Stablecoins: The Go-To for Collateral and Edge Use Cases
While XRP leads in bridging value, Schwartz acknowledges that stablecoins hold the upper hand in other domains. Their price stability makes them ideal for use as collateral and for transactions at the on/off ramps of the financial system, where volatility is a disadvantage.
Stablecoins such as USDC and USDT are widely used in lending, remittances, and institutional treasury operations. In 2024 alone, stablecoin payment volumes exceeded $1.3 trillion, according to industry reports. Their predictability is crucial in environments that demand minimal risk and regulatory clarity, making them the default for many financial players who require stability above all.
We are on twitter, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1
— TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) July 15, 2023
Holding Digital Assets vs. Stablecoins
Schwartz also suggests that unless one is highly risk-averse, top-tier digital assets, including XRP, are more appealing to hold than fiat-backed stablecoins. This is especially true for users seeking long-term upside and utility beyond just preserving capital.
The trade-off is clear: stablecoins offer short-term predictability, while assets like XRP offer broader functionality and speculative potential.
XRPL Utility Drives XRP’s Value
Schwartz concludes by reaffirming that more real-world use of the XRP Ledger will naturally lead to greater utility, and thus value, for XRP. As the ledger’s native asset, XRP is essential to its operation. Unlike other networks where native tokens can be sidestepped, XRP remains embedded in every transaction path and exchange pair on XRPL.
Although most institutional Ripple transactions are still off-chain due to compliance considerations, ongoing efforts to integrate permissioned liquidity and regulatory frameworks could unlock more on-chain activity in the future.
David Schwartz’s latest insights reaffirm XRP’s foundational role in Ripple Payments. While stablecoins dominate specific functions due to their stability, XRP’s deep integration into Ripple’s infrastructure gives it a unique and irreplaceable position. As XRPL adoption grows, so too does the long-term utility and value proposition of XRP.
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 urged to do in-depth 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.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Telegram, and Google News
