Brad Kimes, creator of Digital Perspectives, has called the XRP Ledger’s built-in decentralized exchange (DEX) its “secret weapon.”
His remarks come as Ripple expands its institutional presence and developers revisit the core features that set the XRPL apart from other blockchains.
Specifically, Kimes pointed out that with Hidden Road handling $3 trillion and GTreasury $12.5 trillion in annual transactions, over $15.5 trillion in financial activity could soon flow through the XRPL.
He called it a crucial moment as the crypto industry pushes for the market structure bill set to pass in 2026.
“Don’t believe it? It’s still true,” he added, noting that the XRPL is built to handle this scale of institutional settlement.
Ripple’s Multi-Chain Vision and the Expanding Role of XRP
A recently resurfaced video of Ripple president Monica Long added further context. Long reiterated that Ripple has always believed in a multi-chain, multi-token world, where different assets serve different roles depending on the use case.
She explained that XRP will always retain utility as the native asset of the XRP Ledger, powering gas fees and reserve accounts. She noted that demand for the token will rise as the network sees increased use from developers and institutional clients.
Long also highlighted a unique advantage few outside the community fully appreciate: the XRPL’s original DEX.“
Built into the ledger from the start, the DEX automatically routes trades that lack direct liquidity through XRP.
According to Long, this “auto-bridging” is where XRP becomes a true bridge asset, independent of Ripple’s payment products and relevant across any developer-driven use case.
The XRPL DEX, Hidden Road, and GTreasury
The resurgence of interest in the XRPL DEX follows Ripple’s rapid institutional expansion. Earlier this year, Ripple confirmed that Hidden Road’s entire post-trade infrastructure will transition to the XRP Ledger.
GTreasury, a major player in global corporate financial operations for over four decades, would serve as Ripple’s entry point into the $120 trillion corporate treasury sector.
While not all of this volume will convert to direct XRP usage, analysts are paying attention to how XRPL features like automated market-making, auto-bridging, and native settlement could handle high-volume operations.
Crypto Eri previously clarified that post-trade activity on the XRP Ledger will involve the movement of RLUSD collateral, settlement flows, and possibly data-related functions such as reconciliation.
Why it Matters for XRP
Notably, Long pointed out that Ripple’s payment system still uses both XRP and stablecoins for efficiency. Meanwhile, commentators are focusing on XRP’s role as a liquidity asset in the XRPL DEX.
As more projects build on the XRPL and connect to other blockchains, demand for XRP could grow as a routing asset. In other words, XRP’s advantage is not just speed or low fees alone but the XRPL’s underlying design.
As Ripple targets institutional finance, the DEX could become a key part of digital asset infrastructure.
Based on this, analysts have been modeling various scenarios for what all of this could mean for XRP’s long-term market price.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
