The idea that XRP could serve a meaningful role in the future of global finance has become a popular discussion point among crypto enthusiasts and market analysts alike. A growing number of industry voices are now considering the potential upside for XRP if it were to handle even a small slice of the volume currently processed by SWIFT — the dominant player in the cross-border payments ecosystem.
The debate isn’t so much about XRP replacing SWIFT altogether, but more about how it could work in tandem with the existing system to streamline international money transfers. Ripple’s leadership has consistently positioned XRP and its blockchain — the XRP Ledger (XRPL) — as solutions that can complement SWIFT’s infrastructure rather than directly competing with it.
Back in 2019, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, speaking at the Paris Fintech Forum, emphasized that their mission was not to displace SWIFT, but to boost the efficiency of cross-border transactions. He acknowledged the improvements brought by SWIFT’s Global Payments Innovation (GPI) but argued that Ripple’s blockchain-based model is better suited for real-time settlement.
Similarly, Ripple’s CTO David Schwartz pointed out at the 2018 Money20/20 USA conference that the current system is riddled with middlemen, making it slow and expensive. He proposed XRP as a cost-efficient, faster alternative capable of minimizing dependence on intermediaries in international payments.
To grasp the potential impact of XRP gaining traction in this space, it’s important to consider the magnitude of SWIFT’s daily operations. As of late 2022, SWIFT processed nearly 45 million FIN messages every day — a 6.6% rise from the previous year. Although the exact monetary value of these transactions isn’t disclosed, past data offers valuable insights.
Historical figures from 2004 revealed that when SWIFT processed about 10 million messages daily, the average value per transaction hovered around $500,000, totaling close to $5 trillion each day. It’s reasonable to assume that with today’s fivefold increase in message volume, the current transaction value could be even higher.
Amid growing speculation, analysts turned to AI to explore the possible implications of XRP processing just 1% of SWIFT’s estimated daily transaction volume. Using a hypothetical framework, the scenario imagines XRP managing $50 billion worth of transfers daily — a mere 1% of the $5 trillion benchmark.
At the time of analysis, XRP was valued at $2.12 with an average daily trading volume of $2.89 billion. Under the 1% SWIFT load assumption, this would represent a 17.24x surge in volume. Based on a simplistic proportionality model, this scale of adoption could potentially push XRP’s price as high as $35.86 — a monumental 1,624% gain from its current level. This would place its market cap at over $2 trillion, rivaling some of the largest financial entities in the world.
However, it’s essential to approach this projection with a healthy dose of skepticism. The assumption that trading volume alone would proportionally drive the price upward doesn’t reflect the complexities of real-world market behavior. Increased volume often includes both buy and sell activity, which can counteract upward price momentum.
Liquidity, supply constraints, investor sentiment, macroeconomic conditions, and regulatory developments all play significant roles in price formation. Therefore, while the theoretical model paints an exciting picture, actual outcomes would depend on a range of unpredictable variables.
The notion of XRP stepping into a support role for SWIFT — even marginally — opens up fascinating possibilities for the token’s future. Whether or not it ultimately achieves that level of utility, the ongoing dialogue underscores XRP’s relevance in the conversation about modernizing global payments. If even a fraction of these optimistic scenarios materialize, XRP could see transformative growth in value and utility over the coming years.
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.
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