TLDR
- Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse appeared with U.S. digital asset advisor Patrick Witt at the Swell 2025 conference.
- The event gathered global leaders in crypto banking and policy to discuss the future of digital finance.
- Ripple President Monica Long opened the conference by emphasizing innovation and collaboration in blockchain finance.
- Nasdaq Chair and CEO Adena Friedman discussed how blockchain technology can transform traditional markets and systems.
- Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley said that traditional financial services and crypto are finally merging.
Ripple’s annual Swell 2025 event is drawing global attention as leaders in crypto, banking, and policy discuss the next phase of finance. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is scheduled to appear with U.S. digital asset advisor Patrick Witt to discuss the future of financial infrastructure. The two are expected to highlight the growing integration of blockchain with global payments and policy frameworks.
Ripple CEO and Industry Leaders Discuss Digital Finance
Ripple President Monica Long opened the conference, emphasizing collaboration between traditional finance and blockchain innovation. In her remarks, she said the event “marks an era where digital assets drive real economic progress.” Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse reinforced this theme in his comments shared through official channels.
Nasdaq Chair and CEO Adena Friedman joined Ripple’s leadership on stage, outlining blockchain’s potential to transform traditional markets. She explained that transparent and programmable assets can “enhance trust and speed across financial ecosystems.” Ripple CEO continued the discussion, aligning Ripple’s vision with global adoption trends in on-chain finance.
The Swell conference, held November 4–5, gathers policymakers, executives, and developers to exchange insights on digital transformation. Ripple CEO highlighted that collaboration between regulators and innovators remains crucial for scaling blockchain-based finance. The agenda reflected Ripple’s focus on real-world utility for crypto and digital payments.
Excited to join @bgarlinghouse on stage tomorrow at Swell and @SergeyNazarov at SmartCon to discuss the future of financial infrastructure. The future is bright. @Ripple @chainlink
— Patrick Witt (@patrickjwitt) November 4, 2025
Bitwise and Kraken Highlight On-Chain Integration
At the event, Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley stated that “traditional financial services and crypto are finally coming together.” He outlined that institutional adoption continues to grow as infrastructure and regulation evolve. Ripple CEO acknowledged similar trends, saying partnerships with established players strengthen the digital economy.
Kraken Co-CEO David Ripley focused on the advancement of stablecoins as payment instruments. He said, “Stablecoins are a far superior payment mechanism than anything in traditional finance.” Ripple CEO echoed that stablecoin efficiency aligns with Ripple’s push for cross-border settlement innovation.
Industry participants at Swell discussed practical applications for tokenization, liquidity, and asset management. Ripple CEO emphasized that blockchain solutions must maintain compliance and transparency to gain wider institutional trust. The conversation set a clear tone for expanding digital finance partnerships globally.
Bitnomial Expands to Support XRP and RLUSD
Bitnomial announced it will support Ripple USD (RLUSD) and expand its margin program to include XRP. The exchange confirmed that institutional clients can now deposit RLUSD and XRP for futures, options, and perpetual trades. Ripple CEO commended the progress as another step in utility-driven adoption.
Retail traders will gain access to RLUSD and XRP through Bitnomial’s retail platform, Botanical. The update broadens crypto access for smaller participants engaging in leveraged trading environments. Ripple CEO underscored that such integrations enhance liquidity and strengthen Ripple’s market position.
In a milestone achievement, the XRP Ledger officially closed its 100 millionth ledger. The event reinforced the blockchain’s operational maturity and long-term stability. Ripple CEO highlighted the milestone as evidence of blockchain resilience and consistent global transaction growth.
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