Ripple: Coca-Cola and American Airlines Explore Large-Scale XRP Payments

XRP is positioning itself as a key infrastructure layer for the transformation of global payments, supported by growing interest from institutions and large corporations. Companies including Coca-Cola and American Airlines are exploring the integration of Ripple’s solutions to optimize payments and cash flows, while development on the XRP Ledger—particularly smart contract functionality—adds momentum. Analysts also point to the potential for a more favorable U.S. regulatory environment to accelerate adoption.

Cause: Institutional testing and XRP Ledger development

Three growth drivers are highlighted. First, large multinationals are testing infrastructure built on XRP. Second, evolving U.S. regulatory dynamics could increase institutional demand. Third, the XRP Ledger’s roadmap includes new native smart contract capabilities, which are expected to expand the range of payment logic that can be executed on-chain.

Data and scale: $13 trillion in payments and institutional reach

The discussion cites a “Financial Flows” opportunity of $13 trillion. Ripple’s stablecoin-related platform—Gtreasury (now Ripple Treasury), acquired in 2025—has reportedly attracted around 1,100 institutional clients, including brands such as Black & Decker, Coca-Cola, and American Airlines.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is also quoted as saying that Gtreasury processed about $13 trillion in payments in a single year. However, the article notes that these flows do not yet rely on stablecoins or cryptocurrencies.

Analysts frame this as an opportunity to connect traditional payment rails with digital assets (including XRP and RLUSD) through a single interface operating 24/7. They argue that if the XRP Ledger captures even a portion of the $13 trillion figure, it could shift the blockchain from an experimental stage toward broader daily use by large global companies.

Development: Regulatory clarity and expanding payment logic

The article links potential adoption to two developments: the XRP Ledger’s deployment of increasingly complex payment logics, including smart contracts, and U.S. lawmakers establishing a clearer regulatory framework for digital assets. Together, these factors are presented as a technical and legal “conjuncture” that could strengthen XRP’s role in institutional finance by the end of the decade.

Impact and outlook: Price scenarios and geopolitical context

The episode also covers more speculative scenarios for 2030. Analysts from the EZA app project XRP could reach $1,000 by 2030, describing the scenario as aggressive but achievable. Separately, author Jim Rickards is cited discussing Iran’s preparation to accept tolls in cryptocurrency in the Strait of Hormuz, and suggesting XRP could function as a neutral transition asset for oil flows—while noting that traditional banking systems are expected to remain dominant in real oil trade.

Despite the focus on price targets, the article emphasizes that the key signal for investors is the broader trend: institutional experimentation on XRP-based infrastructure, the rollout of smart contract functionality on the XRP Ledger, and improving U.S. regulatory conditions.