In a major leap forward for enterprise blockchain adoption, Ripple has unveiled significant enhancements to its cross-border payments solution. Formerly known as RippleNet, the rebranded Ripple Payments is now a more powerful, accessible, and scalable platform designed to meet the evolving demands of global businesses.
The upgrade, announced in a press release on December 8, introduces expanded market access, deeper blockchain integrations, and broader customer eligibility — positioning Ripple Payments as a leading infrastructure for fast, low-cost international transactions.
A Strategic Evolution in Global Payments
Ripple has long focused on solving real-world financial inefficiencies with blockchain technology. This latest evolution reflects that mission.
“Since the start, Ripple focused on creating products that solve real problems for real customers,” said Monica Long, President at Ripple. “This evolution of Ripple Payments represents an extension of our long-running work to optimize the cross-border payments experience through transformative technology.”
By streamlining the complexities of international transfers, Ripple is empowering institutions to move money across borders with unprecedented speed and transparency.
👉 Discover how modern payment infrastructure is reshaping global commerce.
Expanded Global Payout Coverage
One of the most impactful updates is the expansion of Ripple’s global payout network. The new Ripple Payments now offers access to over 70 crypto and traditional payout markets, enabling nearly 100% global payout coverage — all through a single integration and onboarding process.
This means businesses can send funds to recipients in emerging and established economies alike without managing multiple providers or complex compliance frameworks. Whether it's disbursing payroll, paying suppliers, or settling invoices, companies gain seamless reach across continents.
This level of coverage drastically reduces friction in cross-border operations, especially for organizations scaling internationally. With just one connection, enterprises can transact in local currencies or digital assets, supported by Ripple’s secure and compliant infrastructure.
Opening Access to SMBs and Broader Markets
In another strategic move, Ripple is extending its services beyond large financial institutions to include small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). This democratization of access comes as Ripple has secured more than 30 licenses across the United States, allowing it to operate legally in key regulatory environments.
SMBs often face disproportionate costs and delays when making international payments. Traditional banking systems impose high fees, slow settlement times, and lack transparency. Ripple Payments addresses these pain points by leveraging blockchain to enable near-instant settlements at a fraction of the cost.
This shift not only levels the playing field but also unlocks new growth opportunities for smaller players in the global economy.
👉 See how blockchain-powered payments are empowering businesses of all sizes.
Enhanced Liquidity Through XRPL DEX Integration
A cornerstone of the upgrade is Ripple Payments’ new integration with the XRP Ledger’s native decentralized exchange (XRPL DEX). This integration enhances liquidity management and reduces entry barriers for businesses looking to operate in new markets.
By tapping into the XRPL DEX, Ripple can now source liquidity on demand, ensuring smooth transaction execution regardless of currency pair or destination. This dynamic liquidity model allows Ripple to fulfill customer needs in real time — even for less commonly traded currencies — without requiring pre-funding in each market.
Brendan Berry, Head of Payment Products at Ripple, emphasized the importance of this capability:
“At Ripple, we’ve long known that payments are unequivocally the ‘killer app’ for digital assets. Achieving that vision requires a seamless experience for institutional users to solve real-world problems. With more businesses than ever seeing real utility in blockchain, our goal is to provide our customers with optionality, speed, ease of use and compliance — all in one comprehensive product.”
This integration strengthens the resilience and flexibility of Ripple’s network, making it easier for businesses to adopt digital assets without operational overhead.
Blockchain Innovation Driving Real-World Impact
Beyond payments, Ripple continues to champion broader blockchain-led innovations. As Pat Thelen, Vice President of Global Account Management at Ripple, noted in an October interview with PYMNTS:
“We see the tokenization of real-world assets as about as exciting as anything out there. If you apply the technology to industries that have been around forever and are fraught with manual processes and illiquidity and latency, there are some real opportunities where so much cost can be taken out of the equation. You can get pretty clever as these use cases unfold.”
Programmability, immutability, and instant global settlement are no longer theoretical advantages — they are being deployed to streamline supply chains, trade finance, remittances, and asset transfers.
These capabilities align perfectly with growing institutional interest in blockchain solutions that deliver measurable ROI, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Ripple Payments?
A: Ripple Payments is an enterprise-grade cross-border payment solution powered by blockchain technology. It enables businesses to send and settle international payments faster, cheaper, and more transparently than traditional banking systems.
Q: How does Ripple achieve near 100% global payout coverage?
A: By connecting to over 70 crypto and fiat payout destinations through a single integration, Ripple Payments eliminates the need for multiple partners or correspondent banks, offering extensive reach with minimal setup.
Q: Can small businesses use Ripple Payments?
A: Yes. Thanks to over 30 U.S. licenses secured by Ripple, the platform is now available to small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), giving them access to the same advanced tools previously limited to large institutions.
Q: What role does the XRP Ledger play in this update?
A: The integration with the XRP Ledger’s decentralized exchange (XRPL DEX) enhances liquidity sourcing, enabling on-demand funding across currency pairs and reducing reliance on pre-funded accounts.
Q: Is compliance built into Ripple Payments?
A: Absolutely. The platform is designed with regulatory compliance in mind, supporting AML/KYC frameworks and operating under licensed jurisdictions across the U.S. and other regions.
Q: How does this benefit end recipients of payments?
A: Recipients enjoy faster settlement times — often within seconds — greater transparency into transaction status, and reduced fees, improving cash flow and financial predictability.
👉 Explore how next-generation payment networks are transforming financial inclusion.
Core Keywords
- Ripple Payments
- cross-border payments
- blockchain payments
- XRP Ledger
- global payout coverage
- enterprise blockchain
- crypto liquidity
- SMB payments
Conclusion
Ripple’s latest enhancement of its cross-border payment solution marks a pivotal moment in the mainstream adoption of blockchain technology. By combining expanded market access, regulatory compliance, and innovative integrations like the XRPL DEX, Ripple Payments delivers a comprehensive toolkit for modern enterprises.
As global commerce becomes increasingly digital and decentralized, solutions like Ripple Payments are setting new standards for speed, efficiency, and inclusivity — proving that blockchain isn’t just a technological shift, but a fundamental reimagining of how value moves around the world.