The Truth About XRP: Are Banks Using XRP or Not?

On social media and various communication platforms, there is no shortage of articles, YouTube videos, or tweets "explaining" XRP. However, most of them miss the mark. The reason is not due to a lack of information – but because many of those people actually do not understand how the global financial system operates. A recent example is an article titled: "Are Banks Using XRP? The Truth Behind Ripple’s Banking Partnerships" – "Are banks using XRP? The truth behind Ripple's partnerships with banks." The question is correct, but the way it is framed is completely wrong. The author of the article – like many other influencers – often focuses solely on price charts, market capitalization, or sensational headlines, while overlooking the most important part: the actual infrastructure being built behind the scenes. The difference between holding and using The fact is: the banks not holding XRP on their balance sheets does not mean they do not use XRP. To understand this clearly, it is necessary to understand the two-layer model that Ripple has built: RippleNet: This is the first layer – a messaging system and infrastructure that allows banks and financial institutions to connect, send, and receive cross-border payment information quickly and reliably. ODL ( On-Demand Liquidity ): This is where XRP truly plays its role. ODL allows the use of XRP as an instant liquidity bridge in cross-border transactions. Versan, an expert from Black Swan Capitalist, calls this "programmatic liquidity" (programmatic liquidity). XRP does not need to "sit idle" on a bank's balance sheet like gold in a vault. Instead, it is used in real-time: bought, transacted, and sold – all happening within seconds. Imagine XRP not as gold that you store in a vault, but like digital oil – only pumped into the system when needed, to help the flow of money run smoothly, quickly, and frictionless. The problem is: They do not understand how the global financial system works. Many online influencers do not understand how financial institutions actually move currency. They also do not fully grasp the barriers in the cross-border payment system – such as foreign exchange conversion costs, processing times, or liquidity risks. They do not ask more important questions such as: Why does the world need a neutral intermediary asset in international payments? Instead, they keep asking: "Why hasn't the price increased?" Price is not the only measure of value. The reality is: the price does not reflect the true utility of a digital asset, especially when the asset is designed for global-scale payment infrastructure, rather than for retail speculative purposes. As Versan said: "What is frightening is not just that they are wrong, but that they are wrong with confidence and are misguiding hundreds of thousands of people." While these articles still focus on the US or European markets, XRP has been and is being used to process real transactions where they are needed most: Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East – regions where traditional liquidity is fragmented or costs are too high. XRP is not a "me-too coin" – it is a financial infrastructure. While many mock the current price of XRP, comparing it to "meme coins", they overlook an important point: the system is being quietly built. Financial institutions are preparing for a future where the flow of money needs to move faster, cheaper, and more securely, especially across borders. And XRP – serving as a neutral, programmable asset that can be used for instant value transfer – is playing an indispensable role in this transformation. So, next time someone asks you: "Is the bank using XRP?" – you can answer confidently: Yes. It's just that they use it in a way that influencers often don't understand – or don't want to understand.