- SWIFT’s ISO 20022 transition puts XRP’s role in global payments in focus.
- Ripple’s resilience positions XRP for a central role in finance.
- Garlinghouse reflects on Ripple’s early struggles with SWIFT’s refusal.
SWIFT’s continuous transition to the ISO 20022 messaging standard, set to cover 90% of global financial institutions by 2026, is creating new opportunities for Ripple’s XRP. This upgrade is designed to replace the older MT standard, bringing enhanced data-rich capabilities to financial transactions across the globe.
As ISO 20022 becomes the new global norm, XRP, with native compliance through Ripple Net, finds itself in a strong position to play a key role in the future of cross-border payments.
Ripple’s XRP, a digital asset tailored for fast and affordable global payments, has long been viewed as a potential solution for SWIFT’s needs. According to Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, XRP could capture up to 14% of SWIFT’s $155 trillion annual transaction volume, highlighting the growing confidence in XRP’s potential to reshape international finance.
With the shift toward ISO 20022, XRP’s ability to handle large volumes of structured data efficiently makes it an ideal candidate to integrate into SWIFT’s revamped payment infrastructure.
Also Read: Analyst: XRP Just Touched the Level We Have Been Expecting, Here’s What’s Next
XRP’s Compatibility with ISO 20022
XRP’s seamless integration with ISO 20022 is one of its standout features. As ISO 20022 introduces much richer data than the previous MT system, XRP’s ability to handle this structured data positions it as a perfect fit for the new global messaging standard.
This compatibility eliminates the need for extra translation layers, making XRP a more efficient solution for banks looking to adopt ISO 20022 without added complexity. XRP’s ability to process transactions quickly and affordably is also a key benefit, with costs as low as 0.1% per transaction, far cheaper than SWIFT’s current fees of 3% to 7%.
Additionally, XRP transactions settle in seconds, whereas SWIFT transfers often take up to five days.
📣 $XRP: Swift Anticipates That By The Beginning Of 2026, 90% Of All Transactions Will Transition To ISO20022 ♻️ pic.twitter.com/TB8UF936rO
— 🇬🇧 ChartNerd 📊 (@ChartNerdTA) December 7, 2025
Ripple’s Growing Network of Partnerships
Ripple has already formed partnerships with over 300 financial institutions worldwide, including notable banks such as Santander and SBI Japan. These partnerships underline Ripple’s growing influence within the traditional financial sector, signaling its increasing acceptance as a reliable alternative for cross-border payments.
As SWIFT continues to move toward ISO 20022 compliance, Ripple’s established network of partners makes XRP a highly likely candidate for integration into the global financial system.
With SWIFT beginning to test Ripple’s XRP Ledger, the intersection between these two financial giants seems inevitable. As the ISO 20022 transition continues, XRP’s speed, low transaction costs, and compatibility with the new standard position it as a key player in the next evolution of global payment systems.
Garlinghouse’s Reflections on Ripple’s Early Struggles with SWIFT
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently sparked renewed discussions within the crypto community by revisiting the company’s early struggles with SWIFT. In a speech shared last month by Black Swan Capitalist on X, Garlinghouse reflected on how Ripple was initially denied space at SWIFT’s prestigious Sibos conference.
Undeterred, Ripple took matters into its own hands, organizing its own event nearby, which attracted notable figures like former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke.
Garlinghouse noted, “We couldn’t get a booth at Sibos, so we created our own event down the street.” He further added that SWIFT’s refusal ultimately fueled Ripple’s growth, stating, “SWIFT created more of a monster by pushing us out.”
This episode highlights Ripple’s resilience and growing influence in the financial world. As SWIFT moves toward the ISO 20022 transition, Ripple’s journey reflects its commitment to innovation and the increasing role XRP could play in the future of global payments.
Also Read: The Truth About XRP: When Banks Will Fully Start Using It
