Ripple President Monica Long Anticipates Stablecoins Transitioning from Pilot to Production by 2026

According to Ripple's President, Monica Long, stablecoins are set to become a key component of global finance within the next two years. She emphasizes that stablecoins are moving from experimental phases to mainstream applications, integrating into traditional financial systems, thereby revolutionizing cross-border payments and business transactions.

Key Takeaways

Stablecoins are expected to transition from pilot phases to full-scale production by 2026, serving as essential infrastructure for international payments.
Major payment processors like Visa and Stripe are starting to incorporate stablecoins into their operations, indicating widespread acceptance in existing financial systems.
Business-to-business (B2B) payments are projected to lead the next phase of stablecoin adoption, driven by efficiency gains.
The cryptocurrency sector is undergoing a fundamental transformation from a speculative asset class to an integral part of modern finance, with significant institutional investment expected.
Increased regulatory clarity will support the growth of the stablecoin market, potentially allowing banks to issue their own stablecoins by 2027.
Mergers and acquisitions in the crypto space are anticipated to intensify as firms seek to streamline custody services and expand usability.

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Stablecoins Set for Global Integration

Monica Long, President of Ripple, asserts that stablecoins are on track to become a vital part of global finance over the next two years. In her analysis, she indicates that the asset class is evolving from experimental trials to comprehensive production levels in mainstream payment systems.

Long emphasizes that stablecoins are transitioning from being a niche aspect of cryptocurrency to a standard infrastructure for cross-border payments. She foresees that stablecoins will become embedded within traditional financial systems that banks, merchants, and corporations rely on globally.

Stablecoins Integrated into Existing Payment Systems

Long points to notable advancements by established payment companies as a sign that stablecoins are becoming "hard-wired" into current payment systems.

She highlights recent implementations, such as Visa and Stripe facilitating USDC settlements for merchants, marking a significant milestone where blockchain solutions are being incorporated into established payment workflows, rather than functioning independently.

“By 2026, we expect stablecoins to integrate fully with traditional financial systems, significantly impacting global payment infrastructures,” Long stated. She added that cross-border payments are likely to be the first area where stablecoins gain acceptance as the preferred settlement method.

B2B Payments Leading the Charge for Adoption

While the initial growth of stablecoins has largely been fueled by retail trading and remittances, Long predicts that business-to-business (B2B) payments will spearhead the next wave of adoption.

B2B transactions already dominate stablecoin utilization, and this trend is projected to escalate as corporations pursue greater operational efficiencies.

Moreover, Long points out that there is approximately €1.3 trillion tied up in working capital across Europe, including payables and receivables. Stablecoins have the potential to release this capital by facilitating real-time settlements and enhancing cash-flow management.

The Crypto Sector Evolves from Speculation to Structure

Long further discusses a crucial transformation within the cryptocurrency landscape, suggesting that it is progressing from an alternative investment category to an essential layer of the modern financial system. By the end of 2026, institutional assets in tokenized and digital forms could exceed $1 trillion.

Regulatory clarity is instrumental during this transition. Long references emerging frameworks, such as the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which is establishing a compliant environment for stablecoins.

By 2027, she anticipates that banks and regulated financial entities will begin issuing and maintaining their own controlled stablecoins.

Increased Activity in Custody and Mergers & Acquisitions

With growing institutional interest in digital assets, Long forecasts a rise in consolidation within the cryptocurrency infrastructure, particularly in custody services.

She explains that the commoditization of custody solutions is likely to trigger a new surge of mergers and acquisitions as traditional financial institutions and crypto firms align their blockchain strategies.

Long predicts that more than half of the world’s top 50 banks will formalize at least one new relationship focused on digital asset custody by 2026.

As the future unfolds, she believes that mergers and acquisitions will extend beyond the cryptocurrency sector, enabling companies to tap into broader usability and scalability.

“To attract the next billion users, especially institutions, cryptocurrency must become significantly easier to use and move beyond its current confines,” she concluded.