How are global banks adopting XRP? An analysis of the blockchain payment solution used by over 12 financial institutions

In the world of cryptocurrency, XRP is often associated with fast, low-cost transactions. However, its ambitions go far beyond that. Through the RippleNet network built by its underlying technology company Ripple Labs, XRP is quietly transforming the cross-border payment infrastructure of global banks and financial institutions, turning the concept of “XRP Bank” into a widespread practical reality. This article will take you deep into which mainstream banks are adopting this innovative technology, how they benefit from it, and explore the potential impact of this trend on the XRP ecosystem and its future value.

Pain Points of Traditional Cross-Border Payments and RippleNet’s Solutions

Traditional cross-border payments, especially remittances via the SWIFT system, often face issues such as complex procedures, delays of several days, high costs, and lack of transparency. The core reason lies in reliance on a series of intermediary banks for clearing and reconciliation, with each bank needing to pre-fund large amounts of money at correspondent banks (known as “nostro” accounts), which greatly ties up liquidity.

RippleNet was born out of this need. It is a global payment network created by Ripple Labs, designed to connect banks, payment service providers, and other financial institutions directly to enable real-time cross-border transactions. Its revolutionary aspects include:

• Speed and efficiency: transactions can be completed in seconds instead of days.
• Cost transparency: significantly reduces intermediaries, lowers total costs, and provides clear fee details.
• Liquidity optimization: by optionally integrating XRP as a bridge asset, institutions can settle instantly without pre-funding large amounts of local currency, freeing up billions in idle capital.

Adoption Map of Global Banks and Financial Institutions

Currently, many well-known banks and fintech companies worldwide are connected to RippleNet, with some further utilizing XRP directly to access on-demand liquidity. Here are some key participants and their application scenarios:

Leading in Asia

• SBI Holdings (Japan): Through its joint venture SBI Ripple Asia, actively uses XRP and Ripple’s ODL (On-Demand Liquidity) solutions for instant cross-border remittances from Japan to Southeast Asian countries, significantly reducing costs and processing times.
• MUFG Bank (Japan): As Japan’s largest bank, it leverages RippleNet to simplify cross-border transactions, reduce reliance on pre-funded accounts, and optimize operational costs and network liquidity.
• Kotak Mahindra Bank (India): Uses RippleNet solutions to provide faster cross-border payments for its customers, supporting India’s large remittance market.
• Siam Commercial Bank (Thailand): Adopts RippleNet’s ODL feature to support real-time, low-cost remittances, strengthening its leadership in financial innovation in Southeast Asia.

Practices of European and American financial institutions

• Santander (Spain): Collaborated with Ripple to launch the international payment app One Pay FX, utilizing RippleNet to achieve same-day or next-day settlement, enhancing retail remittance experience.
• PNC Bank (USA): One of the first major US banks to join RippleNet, providing its corporate clients with international payments settled in seconds instead of days.
• American Express (USA): Previously partnered with Santander to use RippleNet to facilitate international B2B payments, exploring blockchain’s role in modern enterprise payment tracks.
• CIBC (Canada): Joined RippleNet in 2022 and uses its ODL solution to enable fast, low-cost international payments without the need for local foreign currency reserves.

Fintech companies and specific channels

• BeeTech (Brazil): This Brazilian fintech uses RippleNet to provide cross-border transaction services for enterprises and individuals, especially focusing on remittance channels connecting Latin America with Europe and Asia.
• InstaReM (Singapore): This Singaporean fintech offers instant, cost-effective regional transfer services via RippleNet.
• RAKBANK (UAE): Integrated RippleNet in 2021, specifically to streamline cross-border remittances between the UAE and India, enabling instant transfers.

RippleNet and XRP: A Dual-Engine Synergy

Understanding the “XRP Bank” infrastructure requires clarifying the relationship between RippleNet and XRP:

• RippleNet is the network and track: it’s a payment network connecting parties, transmitting information and value. Financial institutions can use RippleNet’s messaging and settlement functions without involving digital assets.
• XRP is the bridging asset and lubricant: when using the ODL solution, XRP acts as an intermediary currency, enabling the exchange and settlement of two fiat currencies within seconds, solving liquidity management issues in traditional models.

In short, RippleNet provides banks with a modern highway for payments, while XRP is the “fast pass” ensuring that funds can reach their destination instantly. Together, they form one of the most practical bank-grade blockchain payment solutions available today.

Market Data and Recent Performance

According to Gate’s market data, as of 2026年1月12日, XRP’s market performance reflects its resilience in complex market environments. Its price has shown volatility recently, closely related to macro market sentiment, regulatory developments, and substantive progress in its technological adoption.

It’s important to note that the cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, and prices are influenced by many factors. Institutional adoption is a long-term fundamental narrative, and its impact usually takes time to be fully reflected in market value. Investors should pay attention to long-term growth trends in key adoption indicators such as the number of bank partners and ODL transaction volume, rather than short-term price fluctuations.

Future Outlook: Beyond Payments

XRP’s vision is expanding. Besides serving as a bridge asset for cross-border payments, its underlying XRP Ledger is supporting broader innovations:

• Tokenized assets: issuing and trading digital tokens representing real-world assets like real estate and commodities.
• Decentralized finance (DeFi): supporting lending, liquidity pools, and other DeFi applications.
• Central bank digital currency (CBDC) bridging: exploring roles as a tool for interconnecting different CBDCs.

These expanded use cases, combined with increasing penetration into traditional finance, are building a diversified and robust utility foundation for XRP.

“XRP Bank” does not refer to a specific bank but to an ecosystem composed of numerous financial institutions worldwide that are utilizing XRP and its underlying technology to upgrade their payment infrastructure. From Santander to SBI Holdings, from US PNC to Thailand’s SCB, the continuous adoption by mainstream institutions validates the value of this technology in solving real financial pain points.

Despite the volatility of the crypto market, XRP has carved out a unique and important position by focusing on compliance, efficiency, and real-world utility, connecting traditional finance with blockchain innovation. As RippleNet expands and innovative applications emerge on the XRP Ledger, XRP’s role in reshaping global value flows warrants long-term attention.