Stablecoins Steal XRP’s Thunder?

by

Monica Long, Ripple’s president – a title that sounds more impressive if you say it with a European accent, which I do, constantly – has declared stablecoins the future of global settlement. Apparently, all that touting of XRP was…well, a practice run? It’s like spending years perfecting a mime routine, then realizing everyone wants synchronized swimming. Much more glitter, you see.

  • According to Long, stablecoins are the new beige. They’re not flashy, but Visa and Stripe, ever the innovators, are “hard-wiring” them into everything. So exciting.
  • She’s predicting 2026 will be the year crypto finally grows up and gets a sensible haircut and a 401k. She calls it the “production era.” I call it a Tuesday.
  • XRP devotees – bless their hearts – are slightly concerned that all this talk of stablecoins leaves XRP feeling a bit…redundant. Like a landline in a world of smartphones.

In a recent X post, punctuated with the appropriate number of slashes (apparently that’s how one demonstrates enthusiasm online these days), Long explained that stablecoins are the “foundation” for settlement, not some sort of quirky alternative. Visa and Stripe, along with these “major institutions” (who they are remains a mystery, like the location of Jimmy Hoffa), are, get this, using them! For business-to-business transactions! It’s enough to bring a tear to your eye, really.

1/ Stablecoins will be the foundation for global settlement, not an alternative rail. As Visa, Stripe and major institutions hard-wire them into payment flows, B2B is the growth engine – with corporates using digital dollars to unlock real-time liquidity and capital efficiency.

– Monica Long (@MonicaLongSF) January 20, 2026

This aligns, apparently, with a longer screed on Ripple’s website, where Long foresees a future brimming with stablecoins, fully integrated (that’s the buzzword) into global payment systems. And in related news, water is wet. Analysts, with nothing better to do, are also noting that regulated stablecoins are, shockingly, being designed to work with banks. Groundbreaking stuff. I’ve never seen such innovation.

From Pumping to…Actual Work?

Long insists we’re leaving the “speculative phase” – as if anyone actually believed this was about anything other than getting rich quick – and entering a “production era”. In 2026, seemingly, banks will stop “piloting” things and just… do them. It will be glorious. Or just slightly more efficient. Either way.

She adds that crypto is no longer about speculating on charts, but about being “the operating layer of modern finance.” By 2026, half of Fortune 500 companies will have a “DAT strategy,” which I assume is short for “Digital Asset Thingy.” They’ll be exposed to tokenized stuff, Treasury bills on the blockchain, and “programmable financial” instruments. Quite the upgrade from spreadsheets, I suppose.

ETFs, Mergers, and Custody: The Thrilling Saga Continues

Apparently, ETFs are gaining “accelerating exposure,” but are still a tiny fraction of the overall market. Which means, of course, there’s room for “major growth.” It’s always about growth, isn’t it? As for mergers and acquisitions, there was a cool 8.6 billion dollars worth in 2025. A number that, frankly, means very little to me, but sounds impressive nonetheless. Then there’s custody, which will become the next big thing. Because everyone loves safekeeping! It’s very responsible.

XRP Fans Are…Not Thrilled

Naturally, this has caused a minor revolt amongst the XRP faithful. One user, clearly having spent a significant portion of their disposable income on XRP, inquired what, exactly, XRP is for if not global settlement. It honestly feels a little sad. Another person suggested they might need to sell their XRP. A sentiment I’m sure is being echoed across many a basement dwelling forum.

Some, naturally, are defending the situation, arguing that stablecoins will bring business on-chain, and that XRP can still act as a “settlement bridge.” A very niche bridge, perhaps, for those who really, really love XRP.

2026: The Year Everything Changes (Again)

Long envisions 2026 as the year stablecoins finally take over, tokenized assets invade corporate balance sheets, and custody firms reassure everybody that, yes, your digital money is safe. There will also be a growing overlap between blockchain and AI, automating back-office tasks that are currently “holding markets back.” The future is now, apparently, and it involves a lot of algorithms and very stable coins.

For Ripple, this means less focus on token price action-a relief, honestly-and more on integrating crypto into the legacy financial system. One hopes this means fewer white papers and more… actual usability. Don’t hold your breath.

Read More

2026-01-21 13:37