TLDR
- BlackRock’s Maxwell Stein joins SWELL 2025, raising talks of a possible XRP ETF following Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF launches.
- Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin hit $54M in Aave volume, surpassing USDT and USDC in BlueChip rankings.
- Citi, BNY Mellon, and Fidelity to speak at SWELL 2025, showing deeper institutional interest in tokenized finance.
- Ripple confirms XRP’s role in cross-border liquidity as it expands RippleNet and targets global institutional use.
BlackRock’s upcoming participation in Ripple’s SWELL 2025 conference in London has fueled growing interest in XRP’s institutional prospects. The annual event, scheduled for October 22–23, will feature key speakers from traditional finance, blockchain, and digital asset firms. Market watchers are closely monitoring developments around a potential XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), especially with BlackRock’s presence on the agenda.
BlackRock Involvement Fuels XRP ETF Speculation
Maxwell Stein, Director of Digital Assets at BlackRock, is scheduled to speak at SWELL 2025. His inclusion has sparked renewed attention from the crypto community. Some believe it could be a sign that BlackRock is considering an XRP ETF.
The firm has already launched Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Its interest in other assets, such as XRP, is growing as tokenized finance gains ground. While BlackRock has not confirmed any XRP ETF plans, Stein’s presence is seen as noteworthy.
BlackRock’s top digital strategist is heading to Ripple Swell
The world’s largest asset manager is now eyeing XRP’s rails.
Regulatory clarity. Tokenized treasuries. Real adoption in motion.
You still think $XRP is a gamble? Institutions are positioning for decades. pic.twitter.com/FJ03WCcRUY
— X Finance Bull (@Xfinancebull) July 31, 2025
Crypto analyst and influencer Crypto Eri was among the first to connect BlackRock’s participation to ETF speculation. On social media, she urged XRP supporters to “connect the dots.” This has led to wider discussions on XRP’s future role in institutional investment portfolios.
Ripple has continued its push to position XRP as a liquidity solution for cross-border payments. The company says this makes the asset well-suited for ETF consideration. A formal product could help bring XRP exposure to a wider group of investors.
Traditional Finance Firms Signal Blockchain Focus
Other speakers at SWELL 2025 include senior figures from major financial institutions. Representatives from Citi, BNY Mellon, Fidelity, and Franklin Templeton will join panel discussions. These firms have been exploring blockchain for years and are now showing stronger commitment to digital asset integration.
Citi’s Ryan Rugg and Franklin Templeton’s Sandy Kaul will speak about tokenization and institutional adoption. BNY Mellon’s Carolyn Weinberg will discuss asset servicing in a blockchain-based environment. Fidelity’s Cynthia Lo Bessette, who has worked on crypto ETF projects, is also expected to attend.
Ripple’s recent product developments align with the increased interest from traditional firms. The RLUSD stablecoin, launched earlier this year, is designed for use in both institutional and DeFi environments. Ripple has said RLUSD is backed 1:1 by U.S. dollar reserves and aims to support global liquidity flows.
Fidelity and other major players continue to monitor stablecoins and their role in regulated markets. RLUSD’s growing presence on platforms like Aave shows that activity is expanding. Sentora data shows RLUSD reached a record $54 million in Aave volume in July.
Ripple Builds on Tokenization and Liquidity Goals
Ripple executives, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse and President Monica Long, will provide updates during SWELL. Topics will include regulatory progress, expansion of RippleNet, and developments in XRP’s use as a bridge asset.
David Schwartz, Ripple’s CTO, recently shared background on Ripple’s naming history. He revealed that early suggestions included “Stamps” and “Beempay” before the team settled on the Ripple brand in 2013.
Ripple’s efforts to build a full financial ecosystem are ongoing. RLUSD and XRP are central to this strategy. The growth of RLUSD in decentralized finance may help increase XRP’s visibility. As interest grows from both institutions and developers, the SWELL 2025 event is expected to serve as a key moment in Ripple’s push for global financial integration.
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