Ripple CEO Predicts Significant Growth in Stablecoin Market

According to Cointelegraph, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has expressed optimism about the future of the stablecoin market, predicting substantial growth in the coming years. Currently valued at approximately $250 billion, the stablecoin industry is anticipated to expand to a market capitalization of $1 to $2 trillion. Garlinghouse shared these insights during an appearance on CNBC's 'Squawk Box,' highlighting the profound growth potential of stablecoins. Ripple, which entered the stablecoin market later than some competitors, has been leveraging stablecoins in its payment flows for institutional clients. Garlinghouse emphasized Ripple's readiness to participate in this market, citing the company's institutional background and regulatory compliance as key advantages. He also announced that BNY Mellon would serve as the custodian for Ripple's USD-pegged stablecoin asset. Ripple's enterprise-focused stablecoin, RLUSD, launched in late 2024, has already achieved a market capitalization of $500 million. This milestone was reached on Wednesday, underscoring the rapid growth of Ripple's stablecoin initiatives. Garlinghouse's comments align with predictions from other industry experts, such as Apollo Capital's chief investment officer, Henrik Andersson, who also foresees a $1-2 trillion market cap for stablecoins. Andersson noted the involvement of fintechs, banks, social networks, and large retailers in launching their own stablecoins, highlighting Tether's profitability as an example of the sector's potential. The upcoming GENIUS Act in the United States, which aims to make stablecoins legal tender, is expected to further drive adoption. The legislation has already passed a Senate vote and is anticipated to become law soon. Ripple is also making strides towards regulatory compliance in the United States. The company has applied for a banking license with the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and a Federal Reserve Master Account. Garlinghouse emphasized the importance of building bridges between traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi) to facilitate the growth of the crypto industry. In addition to its stablecoin developments, Ripple's cross-border payments token, XRP, has experienced a significant price increase. XRP has rallied 7% since Monday, reaching $2.42, its highest price in seven weeks. This surge follows Ripple's announcement of a partnership with Transak, a major cryptocurrency payments platform, which has provided a boost to its stablecoin. The developments reflect Ripple's ongoing efforts to expand its presence in the crypto and financial sectors.