Stablecoins: The Future of Global Settlement, Not XRP, According to Ripple's Monica Long

Ripple's President Monica Long asserts that stablecoins are set to become the cornerstone of global financial settlements by 2026, shifting the focus away from XRP. This article explores Long's insights into the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, particularly emphasizing how stablecoins will integrate with existing financial systems and the broader implications for digital assets.

Key Takeaways

Monica Long emphasizes that stablecoins will underpin global settlement systems by 2026.
Major corporations are increasingly adopting stablecoins for transactions, enhancing liquidity and efficiency.
Crypto is transitioning from speculation to a foundational layer within modern finance.
Significant growth in crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is anticipated, indicating a maturing market.
There is ongoing debate within the Ripple community regarding the role of XRP in a stablecoin-focused world.

Ripple’s Monica Long on stablecoins and 2026 crypto outlook.

Stablecoins as the Foundation for Global Settlement

In a recent thread on X, Monica Long, President of Ripple, shared her belief that stablecoins, rather than XRP, will serve as the foundation for global settlements. She highlights that major payment processors like Visa and Stripe are already integrating stablecoins into their systems, using them as critical components in the flow of cross-border money. Long identifies business-to-business transactions as a key growth sector where corporates utilize stablecoins to enhance liquidity and capital efficiency.

"Stablecoins will be the foundation for global settlement, not an alternative rail," she stated.

Long's perspective is echoed in a more extensive article on Ripple's website, where she predicts that within the next five years, stablecoins will be seamlessly integrated into global payment systems, establishing themselves as the default settlement layer for both traditional financial institutions and fintech companies. As regulated stablecoins evolve, they are being designed to integrate directly with traditional banking and card networks, merging the realms of crypto infrastructure and conventional payment systems.

Moving from Speculation to Operational Framework

Long argues that the cryptocurrency sector is moving beyond speculation, entering what she terms the "production era." Following an exciting year for the industry—and for Ripple—she predicts that by 2026, we will witness a significant institutional embrace of cryptocurrency. Trusted infrastructure and genuine utility will pave the way for banks and corporates to move beyond pilot projects to full-scale operations.

“Crypto is no longer speculative – it’s becoming the operating layer of modern finance,” Long further noted. She envisions that approximately 50% of Fortune 500 companies will have digital asset exposure or a formal strategy regarding digital assets by 2026. This exposure may encompass a range of assets, including tokenized goods, treasury bills on the blockchain, stablecoins, and other programmable financial tools that will be directly integrated into corporate financial operations.

Growth in ETFs, Mergers, and Custody Strategies

Long also identifies increased access to capital markets as a significant factor in the institutionalization of crypto. She observes that while crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are gaining traction, they still represent a small portion of the overall market, suggesting there is substantial room for growth. She anticipates that the traditional ETF investor base will begin to view these products as gateways into on-chain collateral and tokenized yields, particularly as offerings extend beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.

In terms of market structure, Long highlights an approximate $8.6 billion volume in crypto mergers and acquisitions for 2025, indicating a maturing market. She forecasts that the digital assets custody sector will undergo major consolidation. As the safekeeping of digital assets becomes standardized, she predicts more integrated custody strategies across financial institutions, with nearly half of the world's top banks expected to establish at least one formal digital asset custody arrangement by 2026.

Debates Surrounding XRP and Stablecoins

Long's comments have sparked discussions within the Ripple community, particularly regarding XRP's place in a landscape dominated by stablecoins. Some community members have raised concerns about whether XRP is still intended to be a global settlement asset, arguing that the shifts in focus create confusion for holders of XRP. Others express frustration, questioning if they should divest from XRP based on this new direction.

However, proponents assert that stablecoins will facilitate business transactions on-chain, and an increase in fiat-pegged tokens could actually create a greater need for assets like XRP, which serve as a settlement bridge for converting stablecoins into various fiat currencies.

2026: A Pivotal Year for Institutions

Long's vision for Ripple paints 2026 as a critical year where stablecoins will enable global settlements, tokenized assets will find their way onto institutional balance sheets, and custodial services will provide the necessary trust for banks and asset managers. Additionally, she underscores the increasing intersection between blockchain technology and artificial intelligence in automating back-office functions that currently impede market potential. This trend aligns with recent efforts by exchanges and trading firms to merge algorithmic trading with on-chain settlement processes.

These institutional shifts come alongside broader industry developments, including new spot and leveraged crypto ETFs, as well as banks exploring tokenized deposits and central bank digital currencies in regions such as Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. For Ripple, which is established in cross-border payments and enterprise-level blockchain solutions, Long's message signals that future growth will be gauged by the deeper integration of crypto infrastructure into the financial systems rather than merely fluctuations in token prices.