In a recent conversation with Paul Barron, Bitwise strategist Juan Leon has opened up about how institutions are no longer just testing crypto with tiny allocations; they’re starting to rethink it as a core part of portfolios.
Leon makes it clear that XRP’s recent stability doesn’t mean the opportunity is gone; it actually signals a shift toward a more mature phase. Earlier volatility, he explains, was largely tied to uncertainty.
“A lot of the volatility… was driven by the uncertainty of the regulatory and legal status,” Leon says. With that now mostly resolved, price action has cooled, but the bigger picture remains bullish. “There’s still definitely a lot of growth ahead for the digital asset ecosystem.”
Global Push Is Where the Real Story Lies
Instead of hype, XRP’s future now depends on execution. Leon highlights how the network is expanding globally—partnering with SBI in Japan, rolling out RLUSD in Singapore, and exploring African markets. “Every quarter… they’re looking to expand… with banks and payment providers,” he said.
He also points out that rising stablecoin market cap, growing transaction volumes, and increasing partnerships will fuel momentum.
“As we see more partnerships and more of those revenues start flowing… all of that should drive the price.”
Strong Tech + Regulation = Investor Confidence
A big reason for growing institutional interest is the strength of the XRP Ledger. Leon highlights its efficiency, with sub-5-second settlement and transactions that are over 60% cheaper than traditional systems like SWIFT.
“It’s a very efficient settlement ledger,” he says.
On top of that, RLUSD adds a regulated layer to the ecosystem. It’s backed by short-term treasuries, held with custodians like BNY Mellon, and supported by independent attestations. It’s also expanding across Ethereum and Layer 2 networks like Optimism and Base.
He further added that “There’s a lot of conviction from investors around it.”
AUM Growth and Market Outlook
Leon points out that digital asset ETFs currently hold around $160 billion in AUM, with Bitcoin dominating at $120 billion, Ethereum at $18 billion, and XRP at roughly $2.5 billion, leaving significant room to grow.
He says future upside depends on catalysts like the Clarity Act and improving macro conditions. With Bitcoin previously hitting $125K and now below $80K, a recovery could reignite the market.
“If we resume the bull run… we could go to new all-time highs over the next 12 to 18 months,” he concluded.
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