Ripple president on stablecoins, Trump and tokenization
Apr 24, 2025
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Monica Long, the President of Ripple and a veteran in the crypto industry, discusses the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency with CNBC's Arjun Kharpal. She dives into how President Trump's actions could influence the sector and the regulatory environment surrounding stablecoins. The conversation highlights the transformative power of real-world asset tokenization and Ripple's role in facilitating cross-border transactions. Long also shares insights on the future of finance through blockchain technology and Ripple's strategic acquisitions.
Monica Long emphasizes Ripple's commitment to enhancing cross-border payment systems through its new stablecoin, Ripple USD, amidst growing market acceptance.
The podcast highlights the evolving regulatory landscape, where bipartisan support for stablecoin legislation indicates increased safety and innovation potential in the crypto industry.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Ripple and the Crypto Ecosystem
Ripple has evolved significantly since its inception, positioning itself as a key player in the cryptocurrency landscape by focusing on cross-border payments using its digital asset, XRP. Originally set up as an alternative to Bitcoin, Ripple now aims to modernize financial infrastructure for institutions by providing essential services such as custody, stablecoins, and tokenization. The growing acceptance of blockchain technology by banks was highlighted, demonstrating a shift from skepticism to openness over the years; many banks now recognize the potential for improved transaction efficiency. This transition reflects a broader maturation of the crypto ecosystem, which continues to expand with new projects and applications emerging rapidly.
Market Volatility and Regulatory Climate
The podcast discusses the current volatile macro environment impacting cryptocurrency, emphasizing how Ripple remains focused on building solutions that provide real utility regardless of market fluctuations. Regulatory developments are highlighted, particularly a shift toward constructive frameworks for crypto assets, with Congress showing bipartisan support for stablecoin legislation. This evolving regulatory landscape is seen as crucial for fostering a safer environment for innovation and investment in crypto. As uncertainties surrounding past regulatory actions diminish, there is optimism that clearer guidelines will further support the industry's growth.
Stablecoins and Future Innovations
Ripple's launch of its stablecoin, Ripple USD, aims to address the inefficiencies in traditional cross-border payment systems, reducing costs and improving transaction speeds for financial institutions. The stablecoin market is projected to grow significantly, and Ripple intends to leverage its existing infrastructure to capture institutional demand, particularly in navigating currency volatility in emerging markets. Additionally, the potential uses of stablecoins are broadening, with applications emerging for collateral in trading and real-world asset tokenization, indicating a shift towards more sophisticated financial use cases. Ripple's strategic direction appears focused on enhancing its offerings to institutional clients while exploring acquisitions that align with its mission to evolve the financial landscape.
Monica Long, president of Ripple, sits down with CNBC’s Arjun Kharpal to talk about the state of the crypto market and what President Donald Trump means for the industry.
Long also discusses Ripple’s stablecoin and the current push towards so-called real-world asset tokenization.
This episode was recorded at Paris Blockchain Week, as part two of a Beyond the Valley crypto mini-series.
