Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said stablecoins may become the main way businesses enter the crypto sector as companies seek faster payment tools. 

He told FOX Business that more boards, treasurers, and chief financial officers are now asking how stablecoins could fit into company operations.

Garlinghouse said stablecoins could become crypto’s “ChatGPT moment” for businesses. He said the main shift would come when company finance teams gain a direct option to use stablecoins for payments and treasury activity.

He said many firms are already discussing that move at the executive level. According to his remarks, companies from the Fortune 500 and Fortune 2000 are asking internal finance leaders what role stablecoins should play in their plans.

Bloomberg Intelligence said in early January that stablecoin flows could grow at a compound annual rate of 80% and reach $56.6 trillion by 2030. That forecast has added to the view that stablecoins may take a larger role in global payments.

Garlinghouse also said stablecoins processed more than $33 trillion in trading volume last year. He added that almost 90% of that volume came from Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC, which still hold the largest share of the market.

In addition, Ripple entered the market with Ripple USD, or RLUSD, in December 2024. CoinGecko data shows RLUSD is now the 10th largest stablecoin by market value, with a market capitalization of about $1.4 billion.

Ripple also expanded its payments and treasury infrastructure through acquisitions. The company bought institutional prime brokerage Hidden Road for $1.25 billion and corporate treasury platform GTreasury for $1 billion, adding more tools for business-focused blockchain services.

Regulation remains part of the strategy

Garlinghouse said U.S. regulation will play a major role in how quickly stablecoin payments expand. He said the CLARITY Act could help speed up adoption if Congress passes the bill and the president signs it into law.

He also said many market participants are watching the United States closely for clearer rules. In the interview, Garlinghouse said, “A lot of eyes are on what is US regulation going to look like and is it going to get done,” while also criticizing past regulatory approaches under former SEC Chair Gary Gensler.

Key Takeaways

• Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO, described stablecoins as creating a “ChatGPT moment” for corporate cryptocurrency integration
• Transaction volumes for stablecoins exceeded $33 trillion in 2025, with Tether and Circle dominating the market
• Industry analysts at Bloomberg forecast stablecoin transaction flows will surge to $56.6 trillion by decade’s end
• RLUSD, Ripple’s proprietary stablecoin introduced in December 2024, currently holds a $1.4 billion valuation
• The proposed CLARITY Act could accelerate mainstream acceptance of stablecoins and distributed ledger technology, according to Garlinghouse

Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, believes stablecoins are positioned to serve as the primary gateway for enterprise adoption of cryptocurrency — drawing a parallel to how ChatGPT catalyzed artificial intelligence adoption.

During a Friday conversation with FOX Business, Garlinghouse revealed that executive leadership at major corporations, including Fortune 500 and Fortune 2000 entities, are now actively pressing their chief financial officers and treasury departments about stablecoin strategies.

“Empowering the treasury and CFO with this capability represents the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for,” Garlinghouse explained.

He characterized this development as cryptocurrency’s “ChatGPT moment” — a pivotal juncture where enterprises move beyond theoretical discussions about blockchain technology and begin implementing it in practice.

Stablecoin transaction activity surpassed $33 trillion throughout 2025. While that figure appears substantial, approximately 90% originated from just two dominant players: Tether and Circle’s USDC token.

Bloomberg Intelligence analysts anticipate rapid expansion ahead. Their models suggest stablecoin transaction flows could expand at an 80% compound annual growth rate, potentially hitting $56.6 trillion by the end of the decade.

Ripple Enters the Stablecoin Arena

Ripple has moved beyond commentary to active participation in the stablecoin ecosystem — the company unveiled Ripple USD (RLUSD) in December 2024.

RLUSD currently ranks as the 10th largest stablecoin measured by market capitalization, with a valuation of $1.4 billion based on CoinGecko data.

Ripple has simultaneously strengthened its payment processing capabilities. The firm acquired Hidden Road, a prime brokerage serving institutional clients, in a $1.25 billion transaction.

Additionally, Ripple purchased GTreasury, a corporate treasury management platform, for $1 billion. Both acquisitions concluded during the previous year.

Garlinghouse reported that Ripple is tracking toward a “record quarter” and has experienced tremendous momentum following the completion of these strategic purchases.

Legislative Framework Will Determine Adoption Speed

Garlinghouse highlighted the CLARITY Act as critical legislation that could significantly accelerate stablecoin integration throughout the United States.

He emphasized the importance of regulatory clarity and expressed concerns about previous enforcement strategies implemented under former SEC Chairman Gary Gensler.

“We must prevent another situation where policy becomes weaponized for political purposes rather than serving America’s best interests,” Garlinghouse stated.

He noted that industry stakeholders are closely monitoring the evolution of US cryptocurrency regulation and whether comprehensive frameworks will be enacted.

While Ripple’s RLUSD maintains a $1.4 billion market capitalization — positioning it below Tether and USDC — it remains firmly established among the ten largest stablecoins worldwide.

Regulatory Environment and Industry Projections

The stablecoin industry facilitated over $33 trillion in transactions during 2025, and Bloomberg’s forecast of $56.6 trillion by 2030 would establish it as a dominant force in international payment systems.

Garlinghouse’s remarks arrive as Ripple broadens its presence in institutional payment solutions, supported by $2.25 billion in strategic acquisitions completed last year.

TLDR:

• Gold dropped over 17% from its all-time high above $5,300 reached at the end of January 2025.
  
• Binance recorded $6.6B in single-day gold futures trading volume as prices neared $4,400 on March 23.
  
• Weekly gold futures volume on Binance surpassed $17B, setting a record since its January launch date.
  
• Binance has logged over $72B in total gold futures volume in just three months since the product launched.

Gold has recorded a drawdown of over 17% from its all-time high above $5,300, reached in late January. This correction unfolded against a backdrop of intensifying geopolitical tensions and renewed inflation concerns.

Despite the sharp pullback, Binance reported record weekly gold futures trading volume of $17 billion. The decline triggered widespread margin calls and forced liquidations across leveraged positions.

Trading activity during this period reflects growing demand for tokenized gold exposure within the crypto ecosystem.

Gold’s Sharp Pullback Reflects Months of Leveraged Positioning

Since 2024, gold had delivered a return of roughly 160%, drawing large amounts of capital into the market. That sustained performance attracted both institutional and retail investors seeking a macro hedge.

As the rally extended, many traders built leveraged positions to maximize their exposure to the move.

When the price began to decline, those leveraged positions came under immediate pressure. Margin calls followed, forcing a wave of liquidations across the market. This type of cascading sell-off is a common outcome after extended, leverage-heavy rallies.

Beyond forced liquidations, a number of investors chose to exit positions voluntarily. Some moved to lock in gains accumulated during the long bull run.

Others reportedly used the proceeds to cover losses in equity or currency markets facing simultaneous pressure.

The price approached $4,400 on March 23, marking one of the sharpest moments in the drawdown. That level drew close attention from traders monitoring the correction. The pullback followed a period of outsized gains that had made the market susceptible to a reversal.

Binance Records All-Time High Gold Futures Volume During the Correction

As crypto analyst @Darkfost_Coc reported, Binance trading volumes surged to over $6.6 billion in a single day. This occurred as gold approached $4,400 on March 23.

The seven-day cumulative volume also crossed $17 billion over the same period. Both figures represent records since Binance launched its gold futures product in January.

Looking at the broader picture, Binance recorded over $72 billion in total gold futures volume across just three months.

That total reflects the level of engagement from crypto-native traders with gold as a tradable asset class. The pace of activity points to real and sustained demand for tokenized commodity exposure.

Binance introduced its gold futures to extend access to an asset class that crypto traders previously had limited reach to. The product addressed demand from investors who had primarily operated within the crypto ecosystem.

Gold, as a well-established macro asset, provided a familiar anchor for those navigating uncertain market conditions.

The record volumes recorded during the decline show that traders remained active even as prices fell. Engagement on the platform stayed high throughout the correction.

The data confirms that Binance has successfully addressed a gap in access to gold for the crypto-native investor base.

TLDR:

• Bitcoin STH inflows have fallen to their lowest recorded level of 25,000 BTC.
• Panic-driven selling by short-term holders has declined fourfold since February.
• Reduced STH inflows ease immediate selling pressure on Bitcoin exchanges.
• Bitcoin is in a consolidation phase after dropping more than 50% from its ATH.

Bitcoin STH inflows have dropped significantly, indicating calmer behavior among short-term holders. After Bitcoin fell below $60,000, panic selling pushed around 100,000 BTC to Binance in early February.

Since then, inflows from short-term holders have declined steadily, reaching roughly 25,000 BTC. This reduction suggests that the market is experiencing lower selling pressure, while Bitcoin navigates a consolidation phase following a steep correction.

Short-Term Holders Reduce Exchange Transfers

Bitcoin STH inflows were at a peak in early February when short-term holders moved large amounts to exchanges. Cryptoquant analyst Darkfost highlighted this in his analysis, noting the previous seven-day total of nearly 100,000 BTC to Binance.

Panic selling dominated this period, particularly among younger investors who are highly reactive to price fluctuations.

The trend has changed as inflows have now decreased by four times. Current seven-day transfers from short-term holders are around 25,000 BTC, the lowest recorded level. This shift reflects a stabilization in investor behavior as market volatility begins to ease.

Reduced STH inflows mean less BTC is available for immediate selling on exchanges. Consequently, short-term selling pressure has diminished.

The market is now experiencing calmer conditions, which support a more balanced environment for Bitcoin.

Market Consolidation Continues Amid Stability

Bitcoin is currently in a consolidation phase following a drop of more than 50% from its last all-time high. Such phases are common after large and rapid devaluations. The decline in STH inflows complements this stabilization by reducing short-term market reactions.

Short-term holders, known for their sensitivity, are transferring less BTC to exchanges. This behavior indicates a slower pace of reactive selling.

Analysts note that this adjustment helps maintain steadier market conditions amid ongoing economic and geopolitical challenges.

Lower selling activity aligns with reduced volatility and contributes to market equilibrium. Exchanges see fewer panic-driven transactions, allowing prices to find a more consistent range. While Bitcoin faces external pressures, STH activity suggests a measured response rather than abrupt reactions.

This pattern illustrates how the market adapts after rapid declines. The decreased movement of coins from short-term holders signals patience and a reduction in immediate supply pressure. The consolidation phase, combined with lower inflows, reflects a more orderly market environment.

The Sharpe Ratio for XRP (XRP), a measure of return per unit of risk, turned slightly positive on March 26, after spending months near or below zero between October 2024 and February 2025.

A 30-day average return of 0.00063 supports this positive shift, while the Sharpe ratio stands at 0.0267, which reflects that the “current returns still exceed risk”.

Onchain data indicates that whales have steadily accumulated XRP over the past month, pointing to demand despite the weak price action. 

XRP risk-adjusted returns hint at limited long-term downside

Crypto analyst Arab Chain noted that the recent improvement in the Sharpe Ratio aligns with a pickup in trading activity, pointing to better returns for XRP holders in the long-term. The analyst explained that the ratio indicates a gradual positive rebalancing, which may limit further downside for the altcoin. Yet, the analyst added, 

“If the indicator falls back into negative territory, it could signal a return of volatility and weakening momentum.”

Reinforcing the positive narrative, XRP whale flows have climbed to a 30-day moving average of $9 million per day. The positive flows have held since Feb. 27, marking the longest accumulation phase since April to July 2025.

The last accumulation phase in Q2 2025 led to XRP’s expansion rally to its all-time high of $3.65 on July 18, 2025. 

The combination of a positive Sharpe Ratio reading and steady whale inflows points to an improving sentiment alongside accumulation. The gains are minimal, with the volatility relatively stable. This alignment places focus on whether the whale inflows may continue to support consistent returns over time.

Related: XRP price risks 50% drop despite Goldman Sachs’ $152M ETF exposure

XRP open interest rises with fragile positioning

Crypto analyst Amr Taha noted that the 24-hour open interest change reached 14.8% on March 26, its highest level since March 4, indicating renewed trader participation. This rise in activity also coincides with repeated long-side pressure, with liquidation events above $2.5 million on March 18, followed by similar spikes of $2.45 million on March 21 and $2.15 on March 26.

These moves show that aggressive long positioning is still being cleared during the short-term volatility. Thus, while the futures activity has risen, the frequent liquidation signals create an unstable market, where traders are exposed to continuous resets. 

The technical structure points to a clear bearish bias. XRP has invalidated its bullish ascending triangle pattern, declining 13.63% over the past 10 days. If the current market structure persists, the altcoin could retest support levels near internal liquidity at $1.27 and yearly lows at $1.11 in the coming weeks.

Related: Bittensor’s TAO price may plunge 40% within five weeks: Fractal data