Stellar and XRP Battle for $5.5 Trillion Tokenization Market
Infrastructure
Stellar and XRP are currently competing to capture the rapidly expanding real-world asset tokenization market, which is projected to grow from $35 billion to $5.5 trillion by 2030. Stellar has gained significant institutional traction, hosting over $650 million in Franklin Templeton's tokenized mutual fund and reaching nearly $3 billion in total tradeable tokenized assets. A major milestone for Stellar is its selection by the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation to host tokenized Russell 1000 equities and Treasuries by 2027. Meanwhile, the XRP Ledger holds $323 million in tokenized assets and is focusing on building institutional infrastructure through strategic acquisitions. Ripple recently acquired prime broker Hidden Road for $1.2 billion, rebranding it as Ripple Prime to facilitate institutional financing. This rivalry highlights the shift of both networks from simple cross-border payment solutions to robust platforms for on-chain financial assets. The outcome of this competition will likely define the long-term utility and adoption of these blockchains within the global financial ecosystem.
Key points
- ▸Stellar's tokenized asset volume reached $3 billion, a ten-fold increase since early 2025.
- ▸DTCC selected Stellar to host tokenized Russell 1000 equities and Treasuries by 2027.
- ▸Ripple acquired Hidden Road for $1.2 billion to establish the Ripple Prime institutional platform.
- ▸XRP Ledger currently hosts $323 million in tradeable tokenized assets.
Background
Stellar is a decentralized blockchain network designed for fast, low-cost cross-border transactions and the issuance of digital assets. The XRP Ledger is an open-source, energy-efficient blockchain originally built for high-frequency payments and settlement. Both networks utilize built-in protocol features to manage asset issuance and compliance, distinguishing them from general-purpose smart contract platforms.
Relevance
8.5/10