- Jake Claver claims banks are quietly accumulating XRP, arguing it is becoming essential for global cross-border settlement.
- Analyst Crypto Eri pushes back, explaining banks typically use Ripple’s ODL services without holding XRP.
- XRP adoption may grow at the infrastructure level, but widespread bank balance-sheet accumulation of XRP remains unproven.
Businessman Jake Claver ignited discussion across the crypto community after claiming that banks are “quietly loading up” on XRP in anticipation of its growing role in global finance.
In a widely shared post, Claver asserted that the global financial system already “runs on XRP,” arguing that banks and corporations will soon need the digital asset to survive in cross-border trade.
According to Claver, a single unit of XRP can facilitate multiple cross-border transactions per day, making it an efficient settlement asset at scale. He framed the situation as inevitable, warning that institutions ignoring XRP risk being left behind as global trade modernizes.
The Case for XRP as a Global Settlement Asset
Claver’s argument rests on XRP’s technical design. XRP was built for fast settlement, low fees, and high throughput, features often cited as advantages over traditional correspondent banking systems.
Supporters of this view believe that as cross-border volumes rise, demand for neutral bridge assets like XRP will increase, forcing banks and multinational companies to adopt it directly. This narrative has gained traction during periods of heightened interest in blockchain-based payments, particularly as legacy systems face pressure to modernize.
Analyst Pushback: How Banks Actually Use XRP
However, a response from crypto analyst Crypto Eri adds important context and challenges the idea that banks are stockpiling XRP for payments. According to Eri, banks do not quietly accumulate XRP to facilitate transactions.
Also Read: 4 Major Ripple Acquisitions and How They Benefit and Strengthen XRP
ODL for payment providers using XRP in liquid cooridors is facilitated by Ripple, which includes an optional Ripple managed wallet, that the user dips into on demand without exposure to XRP. Ripple payments charge a use fee, and clients (Ripplenet members) are invoiced. Virtual…
— 🌸Crypto Eri ~ Carpe Diem (@sentosumosaba) January 5, 2026
Instead, they typically use Ripple’s payment solutions, such as On-Demand Liquidity (ODL), which abstracts direct XRP exposure away from the institution. Eri explained that ODL for payment providers operating in liquid corridors is facilitated by Ripple and can include an optional Ripple-managed wallet.
In this setup, clients access liquidity on demand without holding XRP on their balance sheets. Ripple charges a usage fee, and participating institutions are invoiced as part of their RippleNet agreements.
ODL, Liquidity Management, and Key Exceptions
Crypto Eri further noted that banks and payment providers using Ripple Payments are not required to hold XRP themselves. The bridging function can be handled operationally by Ripple or, in some cases, by exchanges. She cited Xago, an exchange in South Africa, as an example of a firm that manages its own XRP liquidity rather than a bank accumulating it directly.
She also pointed out that Master Agreements for ODL are publicly accessible, reinforcing that the mechanics of XRP usage are contractual and operational, not covert accumulation by banks.
Separating Narrative From Reality
The exchange highlights a recurring tension in the XRP ecosystem: the difference between infrastructure adoption and asset accumulation. While XRP may be used within payment flows, that does not necessarily translate into banks holding large XRP reserves.
Claver’s warning reflects a broader belief that XRP will become indispensable to global trade. Crypto Eri’s response, however, suggests that the current model prioritizes efficiency and regulatory comfort over direct exposure, allowing banks to benefit from XRP’s utility without owning it.
The Bigger Picture
As XRP adoption discussions continue, analysts increasingly emphasize nuance. XRP’s role in payments infrastructure may expand, but claims of banks “quietly loading up” remain unproven. For now, XRP’s use appears more operational than speculative, embedded in payment rails rather than bank treasuries.
Also Read: If You Think You Have Seen Growth, Wait Until XRP Hits This Scale: Analyst
