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Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Stated XRP’s speed and cost advantages over Bitcoin.
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XRP is a bridge asset to improve cross-border payments and reduce reliance on traditional pre-funded banking.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently made a strong case for XRP’s role in cross-border finance during a session that included representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Swiss National Bank.
Throughout the session, Garlinghouse pointed out XRP’s unique advantages over Bitcoin, stating that XRP is “a thousand times faster and a thousand times cheaper per transaction.” He presented XRP as a scalable and low-cost solution specifically targeted at cross-border payments.
Garlinghouse said XRP was built with scalability and low-cost settlement in mind, making it a more practical option for international transactions. He addressed the inefficiencies of the traditional correspondent banking model, which tends to force financial institutions to hold pre-funded accounts in multiple jurisdictions.
He further explained how XRP, as a bridge asset, can eliminate the need for such reserves by allowing instant, low-cost settlements between currencies and borders.
According to Garlinghouse, XRP’s function as a bridge currency could eliminate the need for these accounts, reduce friction, and unlock capital—particularly in regions underserved by the existing financial infrastructure.
Ripple’s Vision for Blockchain in Finance
Garlinghouse also set out Ripple’s long-standing vision of creating an “Internet of Value,” likening blockchain’s development to the early days of internet protocols such as TCP/IP and HTTP.
He explained that, similar to how those technologies enabled the free exchange of information, blockchain—led by assets like XRP—could allow value to move globally with similar efficiency.
The session marks a continuation of Ripple’s efforts to position XRP as a utility-focused digital asset while engaging global financial authorities. The renewed attention to Garlinghouse’s comments comes following ongoing debates around the role of digital assets in mainstream finance.
While critics pointed to Garlinghouse’s pointed comparisons with Bitcoin, supporters showed XRP’s real-world use and potential for global adoption.
Ripple has actively pursued partnerships and regulatory dialogue with key global institutions like the IMF and central banks, illustrating its openness to collaborating on regulation. As the digital asset universe continues to change, Ripple stays committed to advancing compliant blockchain technology into the mainstream financial system—and XRP is at the center of it.