In a recent development that has reignited speculation across the crypto community, well-known blockchain researcher SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) shared compelling evidence suggesting that XRP may already be structurally embedded within Visa’s global payments infrastructure. Through a series of slides from a 2025 Visa presentation and legacy technical documents, SMQKE highlighted how the 2019 acquisition of Earthport—a UK-based cross-border payments network—could serve as a hidden gateway for XRP integration into one of the world’s largest financial rails.
The key insight lies in Earthport’s long-standing relationship with Ripple, dating back to 2014. As a Ripple-integrated platform, Earthport supports API-driven international transactions via SWIFT and other clearing systems, with the added capability of leveraging XRP for liquidity and settlement. This structural alignment suggests that Visa may already have indirect access to XRP’s fast, low-cost settlement layer—without having publicly announced any formal partnership with Ripple.
XRP IS ALREADY POSITIONED WITH VISA, AND HERE’S HOW:
In 2019, Visa acquired Earthport—a Ripple-enabled company that connects to RippleNet and can use XRP for cross-border payments. This gives Visa access to XRP’s liquidity and settlement capabilities through Earthport’s infrastructure.
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Visa’s Strategic Move: Building the "Network of Networks"
Visa’s long-term vision, as outlined in internal strategy documents, centers around becoming the "Network of Networks"—a unified financial ecosystem capable of bridging card payments, real-time payments (RTP), account-to-account (A2A) transfers, and blockchain-based settlements. This ambition began taking shape in 2020 and has since accelerated with key milestones:
- The 2023 pilot of USDC stablecoin settlements on public blockchains
- Expansion of Visa Direct, enabling near-instant payouts
- Integration of cross-border A2A payments following the Earthport acquisition
These moves indicate a broader shift toward crypto-enabled financial infrastructure, where digital assets like XRP could play a critical role in enhancing speed, reducing costs, and improving liquidity for international transactions.
One particularly revealing slide from the 2025 presentation maps out Ripple’s cross-network payment vision, placing Visa alongside ACH, PayPal, and RippleNet as interconnected financial rails. Within this framework, XRP and Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) are positioned as tools for instant cross-border settlement—further reinforcing the idea that Visa may already be leveraging XRP indirectly through Earthport’s backend systems.
Infrastructure Readiness: Is XRP Already in the Pipeline?
The technical foundation for XRP integration appears to be in place. Earthport’s payment instruction layer explicitly includes Ripple connectivity, allowing it to route transactions through RippleNet and utilize XRP as a bridge currency for real-time settlements. Once processed, funds are delivered via national clearing systems—effectively blending traditional banking rails with blockchain efficiency.
This hybrid model enables:
- Faster settlement times (seconds vs. days)
- Reduced reliance on nostro accounts
- Lower capital requirements for liquidity providers
For a company like Visa, which handles billions in daily transaction volume, even marginal improvements in settlement efficiency can yield massive operational savings. By acquiring Earthport, Visa didn’t just gain access to international payment corridors—it potentially gained a plug-and-play pathway to crypto-native settlement.
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Expanding Use Cases: From E-Commerce to Healthcare
Visa’s growing focus on cross-border payments extends beyond traditional finance. Internal documents reveal targeted innovation initiatives in high-growth sectors such as:
- Gaming
- Education
- Healthcare
- Crypto-native platforms
These industries share a common need: fast, reliable, low-cost international payments. XRP’s proven track record in facilitating real-time settlements makes it a natural fit for such use cases.
Moreover, Ripple’s recent regulatory clarity—allowing it to sell XRP to institutional investors—removes a major barrier to enterprise adoption. With clearer legal standing, financial giants like Visa can explore deeper integration without the same level of compliance risk.
One slide projects that ten countries will pilot Visa Protect for A2A transactions in 2025, with over $100 million in settlement obligations expected in USDC. While USDC is currently the primary digital asset in these pilots, the infrastructure is inherently multi-asset capable. Given Earthport’s existing support for XRP, a future expansion to include XRP-based settlements is technically feasible—and potentially imminent.
FAQ: Addressing Key Questions About Visa and XRP
Q: Did Visa officially announce XRP integration?
A: No, Visa has not made any official statement confirming direct XRP integration. However, its acquisition of Earthport—a Ripple-connected network—provides a structural pathway for indirect use of XRP in cross-border settlements.
Q: Can Visa use XRP today through Earthport?
A: Technically, yes. Earthport’s infrastructure supports RippleNet and On-Demand Liquidity (ODL), which enables XRP-powered settlements. Whether Visa actively uses this capability remains undisclosed.
Q: What are the implications for XRP’s price if Visa adopts it?
A: Widespread adoption by a major payment processor like Visa could significantly increase demand for XRP as a liquidity tool, potentially driving price appreciation due to higher utility and institutional interest.
Q: Is this integration confirmed or speculative?
A: The evidence is based on public presentations and technical documentation. While not confirmed by Visa, the structural alignment strongly suggests that XRP is positioned within their ecosystem.
Q: How does this compare to Visa’s use of USDC?
A: Visa has openly piloted USDC for settlements, demonstrating its commitment to blockchain-based solutions. XRP offers similar benefits but with faster settlement times and lower fees, making it a complementary—or potentially superior—option for certain use cases.
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Conclusion: A Quiet Revolution in Global Payments
While no official partnership between Visa and Ripple has been announced, the structural evidence uncovered by SMQKE paints a compelling picture: XRP may already be embedded within Visa’s global payment architecture through Earthport. This silent integration could represent a major milestone in the mainstream adoption of digital assets.
As Visa continues to evolve into a multi-rail financial network, the inclusion of blockchain-based settlement tools like XRP becomes not just possible—but strategically inevitable. With growing demand for real-time cross-border payments and increasing institutional confidence in crypto assets, the stage is set for XRP to play a pivotal role in the next generation of global finance.
The message is clear: the future of payments is converging, and XRP might already be part of the foundation.
Core Keywords: XRP, Visa, Earthport, Ripple, cross-border payments, blockchain integration, On-Demand Liquidity, digital asset settlement