Ripple CEO Says XRP Is Our North Star: ‘We Care Deeply’

At the just-concluded Ripple Swell 2025 conference, CEO Brad Garlinghouse delivered a clear message about the place of XRP in Ripple’s long-term roadmap

“XRP is at the heart and soul of what Ripple is doing. We care deeply. We call it our north star,” he said. This emphasized that the company’s decisions ultimately center on strengthening the XRP ecosystem.

XRP Still Sits at the Core of Ripple’s Vision

Garlinghouse’s remarks align with statements he made recently after Ripple completed several major acquisitions. These acquisitions include the $1.25 billion purchase of Hidden Road and the billion-dollar purchase of GTreasury.

Amid Ripple’s growing product suite, including RLUSD and its expanding custody arm, he reiterated that XRP rests at the hub of everything the company does.

Ripple President Monica Long also echoed this message. She previously noted that Ripple Prime is exploring ways to incorporate XRP more deeply into institutional workflows. This includes using XRP, alongside RLUSD, as a collateral asset within prime brokerage services.

Response to Community Concerns About XRPL’s Relevance

In recent months, some community members questioned whether Ripple’s new stablecoin and its multi-chain deployment. About 80% of RLUSD are currently on Ethereum, suggesting a shift away from XRP and the XRP Ledger.

Critics argued that Ripple’s cross-border payment system now appears less dependent on XRP than before.

However, Garlinghouse’s Swell comments directly countered this interpretation. By labeling XRP the company’s “heart, soul, and north star,” he made clear that Ripple’s long-term strategic bets remain tightly linked to XRPL liquidity.

Ripple’s Actions Reveal an XRP-Centered Future

Beyond statements, Ripple’s recent initiatives demonstrate a practical commitment to strengthening XRP’s institutional use:

At Ripple Swell, the company announced a collaboration with Mastercard to explore using RLUSD on the XRPL for the settlement of stablecoin transactions using fiat cards.

In October, Ripple joined SBI and Kraken to invest $1 billion into what is now the world’s most significant corporate XRP treasury. Ripple has already contributed over 200 million XRP to the reserve, with Chairman Chris Larsen adding another 50 million.

Moreover, Ripple controls roughly 40 billion XRP across escrow and spendable wallets. In other words, any long-term price appreciation directly amplifies the company’s financial strength.

Ripple Prime’s roadmap includes incorporating XRP into collateral, settlement, and liquidity operations for large institutions.

“Ripple’s Endgame Is Still About XRP”

Analysts and long-time observers note that Ripple avoids discussing XRP price targets for regulatory reasons. Yet the company’s acquisitions, ecosystem investments, and public messaging all point toward a singular conclusion that its long-term ambition is connected XRP’s success.