XRP Ledger May Experience a Tokenized Gold Transformation, Says Web3 Founder

XRP

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is now capturing attention for the potential integration of tokenized gold. With developments in the space, industry insiders suggest that the technology is prepared for implementation. Meld Gold has already partnered with Ripple to launch tokens backed by physical gold and silver, paving the way for a broader adoption of tokenized metals on the XRPL.

Key Takeaways

The XRP Ledger shows promising potential for tokenized gold integration, supported by ongoing developments.
Meld Gold has introduced gold and silver tokens backed by physical metal, marking a significant milestone.
There is existing demand for tokenized metals in the crypto market, but clear incentives for major firms on the XRPL are still needed.
The adoption and success of tokenized products on the XRPL depend on regulatory clarity and economic motivations for issuers.

The Rise of Tokenized Metals on XRPL

Recent discussions in the XRP community highlight the growing excitement around tokenized gold. Experts and developers on the XRPL assert that the technology is well-equipped to facilitate continuous access, rapid transfers, and integration with automated market makers.

A significant development is the partnership between Meld and Ripple, announced in June 2024, which led to the launch of gold and silver tokens in Q3 2024. Each token represents one gram of actual metal held by trusted custodians, transforming theoretical concepts into real products on the ledger.

Advocates Support Tokenized Gold Initiatives

Prominent voices in the crypto space argue that the introduction of on-ledger tokens backed by tangible metals could redefine the use of XRP and the XRPL. Phil Kwok, co-founder of EasyA, a Web3 technology and education platform, emphasizes the excitement around the impending arrival of tokenized gold on the XRPL, noting its significant potential impact.

Tweet by Phil Kwok

"Absolutely. Tokenized gold is coming to the XRP Ledger. And it’s going to be epic."
— Phil Kwok | EasyA (@kwok_phil) January 9, 2026

Kwok's insights were echoed by the validator Vet, who pointed to the advantages of constant availability and the connections to decentralized finance (DeFi) tools, raising concerns about why widespread adoption hasn't yet materialized. Future features like lending and escrow were suggested to enhance the utility of tokenized metals.

Market Demand and Incentives Needed

Evidence of market demand for tokenized metals already exists. Companies like Paxos and Tether manage large portfolios of tokenized metals, demonstrating genuine investor interest. However, successful execution remains crucial.

Pano Mekras from Anodos Finance highlighted that a lack of clear incentives may deter large companies from launching products on the XRPL. He argued that drawing in high-volume projects would likely necessitate proactive engagement and robust incentives on the ledger.

XRP Trading Chart
Currently, XRP is trading at $2.09. According to reports, the price of XRP climbed above $2 in early January 2026, peaking around $2.41 during a broader cryptocurrency rally, before settling back to near $2 as traders took profits.

Though there's been a pullback of approximately 14% from the highs, trading activity indicates both institutional inflows and profit-taking. However, it's important to note that these price fluctuations don't appear linked to the emergence of tokenized metals, as market movements are being monitored independently from the launches on the ledger.

Should more tokenized metal products emerge, the XRPL could evolve with functionalities beyond payment processing. This could include trading and settlement of gold and silver tokens, boosting transaction volume and paving the way for new DeFi applications surrounding these assets.

Adoption hinges on several critical factors, including custody procedures, auditing standards, and regulatory clarity—areas industry experts believe still require development. Moreover, as Mekras pointed out, economic incentives will be vital in attracting major issuers to the XRPL.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView