Jake Claver, CEO of Digital Ascension Group, recently argued that the global financial system is steadily aligning around XRP.
According to this view, large financial institutions are buying XRP early, not for short-term price action, but for utility. XRP is fast and efficient and one token can be used for multiple cross-border payments in a single day. This makes it useful for settling international transactions.
From this perspective, XRP may become necessary rather than optional. As global trade grows and faster payments matter more, companies that handle international transactions may need XRP liquidity to stay competitive, according to Claver.
A major reason is efficiency. Instead of keeping money parked in numerous foreign bank accounts, payment providers can use XRP only when needed. This frees up capital and reduces idle funds.
As global trade increases, demand may shift away from holding multiple currencies and toward using a neutral asset that can move value instantly.
Commentators like Claver believe XRP is set to fill that role. To him, “the writing is on the wall”. He warns today’s investors to prepare and accumulate XRP at lower prices or risk being left behind.
How XRP Actually Fits in Ripple’s Payment Model
Meanwhile, XRP community analyst Crypto Eri added important context on how this works in practice. She noted that Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) model allows payment providers to access XRP only when required.
In some corridors, Ripple facilitates this through managed liquidity setups. This means institutions can use XRP without holding long-term exposure on their balance sheets.
Ripple charges a usage fee for these services, and clients are billed directly as part of their Ripple Payments agreements. In some regions, such as parts of Asia-Pacific, this structure has already been rolled out through live presentations and operational frameworks.
Essentially, Eri seeks to counter Claver’s speculation that banks are quietly accumulating XRP for liquidity purposes. Proponents of this theory often suggest that a “supply shock” could occur due to supposed accumulations to drive XRP’s price higher.
However, many influential voices in the XRP community are pushing back against these claims, calling them baseless.
Banks don’t quietly accumulate for payments. They use Ripple payments solution.
— 🌸Crypto Eri ~ Carpe Diem (@sentosumosaba) January 5, 2026
Exchanges and Regional Exceptions
While many institutions rely on Ripple-managed liquidity, there are exceptions. Eri noted that some exchanges manage their XRP liquidity independently.
For example, certain African exchanges, such as Xago in South Africa, manage XRP internally to support cross-border flows without relying entirely on Ripple’s infrastructure.
In sum, as more payment corridors open and institutions seek faster settlement, supporters believe XRP’s utility will become increasingly difficult to ignore.
