XRP News Update: Solana’s Stablecoin Strategy Ignites Competition with XRP in Global Remittance Market

Western Union's latest collaboration with

to launch a new stablecoin has ignited discussions about competition within the crypto sector, with some market observers interpreting the move as a subtle response to XRP's expanding presence. The remittance leader, which previously experimented with Ripple's for international payments between 2015 and 2018, revealed in October 2025 its intention to introduce a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin (USDPT) on Solana's blockchain. CEO Devin McGranahan pointed to Solana's transaction speed, low costs, and institutional capabilities as key factors behind the decision, even though XRP has long been established in instant payments, as reported by .

This move highlights a wider shift in the financial industry. Western Union, along with competitors like MoneyGram and

, is increasingly turning to blockchain technology to cut expenses and boost operational efficiency. Solana's stablecoin settlement platform supports Western Union's aim to lessen dependence on correspondent banks and simplify global transactions, according to . Nevertheless, the choice to forgo XRP—a system it once trialed—has not gone unnoticed. Detractors suggest that Western Union's selection of Solana may be driven by a desire to maintain control over transaction fees, which could be eroded by XRP's near-zero fee structure, a point raised in the CoinEdition article.

At the same time, XRP has demonstrated significant momentum. In the third quarter of 2025, the token climbed 27.2% to reach $2.85, outpacing the combined market cap growth of

, , and Solana. The XRP Ledger also experienced a 215% increase in real-world asset (RWA) market cap for the quarter, hitting $364.2 million, fueled by tokenized treasuries and commercial paper, as detailed in . Industry experts such as Nate Geraci from Novadax Wealth have pointed to this surge as a potential driver for XRP ETFs, forecasting that inflows could exceed those of the recently introduced Bitwise Solana Staking ETF, which saw $55.4 million in trading volume on its first day, according to .

The strong debut of the Solana ETF has fueled optimism regarding XRP's regulatory outlook. Recent guidance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on stablecoin regulation, highlighted by the GENIUS Act, has lowered entry barriers for traditional financial institutions, as reported by Yahoo Finance. With XRP's network expanding—supported by collaborations with Evernorth and a record-setting $1 billion corporate treasury acquisition—investors are increasingly confident in its potential for mainstream financial adoption,

.

Despite these advances, Solana has openly challenged XRP's "bridge currency" approach, intensifying the rivalry. In October, Solana's official X account publicly ridiculed the concept,

noted, while promoting its own stablecoin framework. This competitive posturing underscores the strategic friction between the two blockchains as they compete for leadership in the remittance market.

Meanwhile, the CME Group has reported record open interest in futures for both XRP and Solana, exceeding $3 billion, which signals strong institutional trust in these assets, according to a

. As the digital asset industry evolves, the balance between technological progress, regulatory developments, and business strategies will likely determine the future trajectory for both XRP and Solana.