The cryptocurrency world is watching stablecoins, and according to Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, they’ve reached a pivotal moment. He likens their current trajectory to the rise of ChatGPT – a point where the technology breaks through to mainstream adoption, extending far beyond its initial enthusiast base. Garlinghouse believes large corporations, from Fortune 500 to Fortune 2000 companies, are now actively exploring how to integrate stablecoins into their operations.
This shift isn’t driven by speculative trading, but by tangible efficiency gains. Traditional payment systems can seize three to five days to settle, while stablecoin transactions often occur within minutes. Unlike traditional banking, stablecoin networks operate 24/7. This combination of speed, cost savings, and constant availability, Garlinghouse argues, is unlocking new possibilities for CFOs and treasurers.
The scale of this emerging trend is reflected in transaction volumes. In 2024 alone, roughly $3 trillion USD was processed through stablecoins, a clear indicator of their growing importance, according to Garlinghouse. Here’s also coinciding with a change in perspective from traditional financial institutions, many of whom previously viewed cryptocurrencies with skepticism. Leaders in the financial world are increasingly acknowledging the potential of blockchain technology to solve real-world problems.
Garlinghouse envisions a future “Internet of Value,” a global network where money flows as freely and efficiently as information. Stablecoins, he believes, are the gateway to this new financial landscape, potentially paving the way for broader blockchain applications. This positive outlook also extends to the XRP forecast, as increased stablecoin adoption could benefit Ripple’s broader ecosystem.
Ripple’s Own Stake in the Stablecoin Revolution
However, Garlinghouse’s enthusiasm for stablecoins isn’t solely based on market analysis; it’s also a strategic move for Ripple. The company launched RLUSD, a US dollar-stablecoin, in late 2024, specifically designed for enterprise use. RLUSD operates natively on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum, aims to maintain a 1:1 peg to the US dollar, and is backed by segregated reserves consisting of US dollar deposits, short-term US Treasury bills, and other cash equivalents. Ripple positions RLUSD as a compliance-focused and payments-optimized stablecoin for businesses, payment service providers, remittance companies, and exchanges, with regular attestations of its reserves to build trust.
This explains the “ChatGPT moment” framing: if businesses increasingly adopt stablecoins, Ripple stands to benefit directly if RLUSD is chosen as a foundational infrastructure component. Ripple isn’t marketing RLUSD as a trading instrument, but as a digital dollar for cross-border payments, on/off-ramps, settlement, and potentially broader institutional liquidity processes. The core message is not simply that stablecoins are becoming important, but that Ripple, with RLUSD, has the solution.
Expanding Beyond Stablecoins: The Treasury Platform and Ripple Prime
Garlinghouse’s vision extends beyond just stablecoins, encompassing a broader strategy involving the acquisition of GTreasury. In October 2025, Ripple announced its intent to acquire GTreasury for $1 billion. GTreasury is a treasury management system designed for CFOs and treasurers, covering areas like cash visibility, forecasting, payments, risk, debt, and investments, and connecting businesses with banks and ERP systems. The goal is to enable companies to centrally manage their liquidity, payment flows, and risks, with future integration of blockchain and stablecoin functionalities.
We’re looking forward to the Treasury & Cash Management Summit – West Coast on March 2–3, 2026 at the Santa Clara Convention Center!
Ripple Treasury, powered by GTreasury, will be on site connecting with treasury leaders and sharing how AI-driven automation is improving cash… pic.twitter.com/NW1HPohTw3
— GTreasury (@GTreasury) February 17, 2026
The strategic logic is clear: GTreasury addresses the operational management of corporate liquidity, while Ripple Prime focuses on institutional trading and financing. Together with RLUSD, Ripple aims to build a complete infrastructure for businesses and financial institutions – encompassing treasury management, payments, prime brokerage, and collateral utilization. Garlinghouse is promoting not just stablecoins in the abstract, but an entire Ripple ecosystem where RLUSD serves as a central hub.
The growing adoption of stablecoins represents a significant shift in the financial landscape, offering potential benefits in terms of speed, cost, and accessibility. While Ripple is actively positioning itself to capitalize on this trend with RLUSD and its broader ecosystem, the broader implications for businesses and the financial industry remain to be seen. The next key development to watch will be the completion of Ripple’s acquisition of GTreasury, expected in the coming months, and the subsequent integration of blockchain and stablecoin functionalities into the platform.
Buying cryptocurrencies in 2026: Everything you need to know
Raphael Adrian is a crypto journalist and analyst who writes about crypto news, PR content, and market analysis for Coinspeaker. He is considered a lead author and expert in cryptocurrency forecasts. With his journalistic background and specialization in finance, business, and digital assets, he has been reporting on blockchain trends, new projects, and developments in the crypto market for years.
