What happened?
SWIFT announced a pilot for a blockchain-based shared ledger with 30+ banks while Ripple’s cross-border payments remain live and are seeing renewed institutional support. XRP recently bounced off $2.70 and the RSI flashed a buy signal, and several spot XRP ETF applications face key deadlines between October 18–25, 2025. At the same time, new projects like Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) are launching presales promising faster, cheaper Bitcoin Layer 2 transactions.
Who does this affect?
Traditional banks and payment providers involved in the SWIFT pilot could change how they settle cross-border payments and compete with existing crypto solutions. Ripple, XRP holders, and traders are directly impacted by renewed institutional interest and technical buy signals that could drive price moves. Developers and investors in scaling projects like Bitcoin Hyper also stand to gain attention and capital if demand shifts toward higher-speed, lower-cost infrastructure.
Why does this matter?
This matters because SWIFT validating blockchain rails and Ripple’s live payments both lend credibility to blockchain-based cross-border payments, which can attract institutional money into the space. Short-term technicals (RSI buy, $2.70 support) plus looming ETF deadlines could spark rallies toward $3.40 and possibly $5, increasing volatility and trading volume in XRP. Meanwhile, interest in Layer 2s like Bitcoin Hyper could redirect investment into infrastructure plays, shaping where capital flows in the next market cycle.