Ripple Builds SWIFT Alternative for Global Payments

Main focus keyword: Ripple SWIFT alternative

Ripple is actively establishing itself as a SWIFT alternative in the global financial ecosystem, according to recent comments made by Eric van Miltenburg, Ripple’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. Speaking at the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, van Miltenburg outlined Ripple’s vision of becoming a critical player in transforming cross-border payment infrastructure by offering a more efficient and modern system.

Highlighting Ripple’s evolving strategy, van Miltenburg positioned the company’s flagship product as either a “SWIFT update or replacement.” His comments were highlighted by prominent XRP figure Crypto Eri, who shared a clip of the discussion, further igniting conversation within the XRP community about Ripple’s ambitions.

Ripple’s longstanding competition with SWIFT has come under fresh spotlight following the company’s acquisition of Hidden Road. Many observers now believe that this move signals an even clearer push to sidestep traditional banking rails and streamline institutional transactions independently.

Ripple’s Goal: Modernizing Global Financial Infrastructure

During his Davos panel participation, van Miltenburg emphasized Ripple’s commitment to modernizing cross-border payments by developing infrastructure rooted in blockchain technology. This vision includes providing seamless, transparent, and faster payment solutions that appeal to both traditional financial firms and newer fintech players.

He also made it clear that Ripple intends to comply with existing regulatory expectations while evolving its product to meet the specific requirements of its clients. As financial institutions demand faster and more agile payment platforms, Ripple stands poised to deliver with blockchain-based solutions, positioning itself far beyond old systems like SWIFT.

In response to van Miltenburg’s remarks, Crypto Eri suggested that Ripple is moving toward direct competition with SWIFT rather than any form of collaboration. She remarked that, based on her long association with Ripple and familiarity with the industry, “SWIFT never liked the Ripple/XRP narrative.” Her commentary resonated with many in the XRP community, especially against a backdrop of ongoing speculation over whether Ripple might integrate or coexist with SWIFT infrastructure.

Ripple X Hidden Road: A Strategic Power Play

The ripple effects of Ripple’s latest acquisition are already being felt. Hidden Road, a prime broker known for bridging digital and traditional finance, is expected to facilitate greater access to banking systems—possibly enabling Ripple to perform similar functions that SWIFT currently dominates.

XRP analyst Arthur supported this view, suggesting in an analytical piece that Ripple’s expansion strategy with Hidden Road is a clear attempt to bypass legacy systems. He further asserted that SWIFT’s centralization and vulnerability to sanctions make it less viable in today’s decentralized finance narrative, positioning Ripple as the more future-proof solution.

Clarifying XRP’s Purpose in Transactions

Amid the growing interest, Crypto Eri took time to address an often misunderstood element of Ripple’s ecosystem: the role of XRP. While XRP is indeed central to Ripple’s payment solution, it is not compulsory in every transaction.

Ripple’s tech stack is designed to be flexible. Whether using XRP, USDC, or USDT, the setting always adapts to customer preference. Especially when dealing with stablecoins or localized rails, XRP can be bypassed to eliminate unnecessary complexity or expenses. That level of adaptability ensures Ripple’s usability across a wide range of financial scenarios.

Moreover, as Ripple continues to eye the projected $300 trillion cross-border payments market, offering options to clients becomes crucial. The flexibility to choose transfer routes without mandating XRP cements Ripple’s goal of being a user-centric platform while still promoting XRP as a high-efficiency token wherever suitable.

Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused

Conclusion

The message from Ripple is becoming increasingly clear: The company is not just innovating but aiming to be a worthy Ripple SWIFT alternative. With its acquisition strategies, regulatory posture, and cross-asset interoperability, Ripple is strategically aligning itself to disrupt traditional payment systems. As global finance continues to digitize, Ripple’s infrastructure could very well serve as the backbone of tomorrow’s cross-border ecosystem.