Ripple CEO Says the Takeover of SWIFT's Customers Loud and Clear

In a recent video posted by FinanceBro (@FinanceBroYT) on X, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse discussed what he sees as the future of global financial infrastructure.

During the APEX 2025 Event, Garlinghouse made clear that Ripple is aiming beyond traditional cross-border messaging systems. Rather than trying to displace SWIFT on its terms, Ripple is targeting liquidity, the core of financial value movement.

Garlinghouse explained that there are two parts of SWIFT’s system: “There’s messaging, and there’s liquidity. Liquidity is owned by the banks.” He went on to clarify that Ripple’s long-term objective is not just to offer an alternative communication network for financial institutions, but to power the actual flow of money across borders.

Liquidity Over Messaging

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While much of the global conversation around SWIFT alternatives has focused on messaging protocols and ISO 20022 alignment, Garlinghouse emphasized that the true opportunity lies elsewhere. “I think less about the messaging and more about liquidity,” he said, indicating that Ripple’s strategy is to insert itself directly into the heart of global financial plumbing.

Ripple’s XRP-powered On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) platform already serves multiple corridors across the globe. This enables financial institutions to send money without pre-funded accounts. As more institutions adopt blockchain-based payment rails, Ripple’s value proposition becomes increasingly appealing.

14% Market Share Target

At the APEX 2025 Event, the CEO predicted that Ripple would capture 14% of SWIFT’s current volume within five years. This prediction shows Ripple’s growing confidence in institutional adoption of XRP for cross-border settlement. With the company expanding partnerships and pursuing banking licenses in key jurisdictions, the 14% target appears to represent a broader strategic framework.

Importantly, this projection does not merely reflect technical potential but speaks to Ripple’s understanding of legacy banking systems and their limitations. By focusing on liquidity rather than competing head-on with SWIFT’s messaging infrastructure, Ripple may be positioning itself to serve use cases where SWIFT remains inefficient or cost-prohibitive, and potentially replace the legacy system in the long term.

XRP as the Future of Finance

The implications of this shift are significant for XRP. If Ripple controls the liquidity layer of international payments, demand for XRP as a bridge asset could increase substantially. Garlinghouse’s focus on liquidity suggests that Ripple is preparing for a future in which XRP plays a central role in institutional finance.

While it remains to be seen whether Ripple can capture the projected 14% share, Garlinghouse’s remarks reflect a belief that XRP will power the next phase of financial innovation.

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