·

In the rapidly evolving world of blockchain and digital payments, a new competitive front has emerged between two major players: Ripple’s XRP and Solana. The recent announcement that Western Union will build its stablecoin on Solana’s blockchain has sent ripples through the cryptocurrency space, particularly within the XRP community that has long positioned the digital asset as the preferred solution for bank settlements and cross-border transfers. This development raises crucial questions about the future competitive landscape and sends investors scrambling to understand the implications for XRP’s price trajectory.

As these blockchain titans vie for dominance in the lucrative payments sector, the African market—with its growing crypto adoption and substantial remittance flows—stands to be significantly impacted by which platform ultimately gains the upper hand. This article examines the strategies Ripple might employ to compete effectively, analyzes the significance of Western Union’s decision, and provides expert insights on what this means for XRP’s price movement in the coming months.

Western Union’s Strategic Pivot: What It Really Means

The recent partnership between Western Union and Solana represents a significant milestone in blockchain adoption by traditional financial institutions. Western Union, a global leader in cross-border money transfers, has chosen to build its stablecoin on Solana’s blockchain, leveraging the network’s reputation for high throughput and low transaction costs .

This decision has understandably caused concern within the XRP community, but the situation is more nuanced than it initially appears. While Western Union is indeed building on Solana, it’s important to note that Western Union recently acquired International Money Express (Intermex), a company that already utilizes Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) technology on the XRP Ledger . This acquisition means that Western Union has indirectly gained access to Ripple’s infrastructure, positioning the company to potentially benefit from both platforms.

The deal highlights the intensifying competition for institutional trust between blockchain platforms. Solana’s response to an XRP supporter on social media underscored this point, with the Solana account highlighting its growing institutional traction through partnerships with financial giants like Citi, Franklin Templeton, and Fidelity .

Ripple’s Established Foothold in Payments

Despite Western Union’s Solana move, Ripple maintains substantial advantages in the payments sector through its deep integrations with existing financial players and specialized focus on bank settlement solutions . Ripple’s technology is already being used by financial institutions worldwide to facilitate cross-border payments, providing a proven track record that newer platforms are still building.

The MoneyGram Partnership Legacy

Ripple’s history with major money transfer services includes a notable $30 million strategic partnership with MoneyGram announced in 2019 . This partnership, though since evolved, demonstrated Ripple’s ability to collaborate with established players in the remittance industry. Through this agreement, MoneyGram utilized Ripple’s xRapid product (now part of ODL) that leveraged XRP as a bridge currency in foreign exchange settlement, potentially reducing operating costs and improving global liquidity management .

MoneyGram, with its extensive network across Africa and other emerging markets, provided Ripple with valuable real-world testing grounds for its technology. The company operates in over 200 countries and territories, with a significant physical and digital presence across the African continent through various subsidiaries and agent relationships.

Divergent Technological Approaches

The competition between Ripple and Solana represents more than just vying for the same partnerships—it reflects fundamentally different approaches to blockchain implementation in the financial sector.

Solana’s appeal to institutions like Western Union stems from its scalability and robust ecosystem for decentralized applications. The network’s ability to process thousands of transactions per second at minimal cost makes it particularly attractive for stablecoin implementations that may eventually need to handle volume comparable to traditional payment processors .

Meanwhile, Ripple continues to focus on its specialized niche of cross-border settlement, working within regulatory frameworks and pursuing a national bank charter that would add further legitimacy to its operations . This methodical approach to regulated finance may ultimately benefit Ripple in dealing with compliance-focused financial institutions.

Market Performance and Price Predictions

The competitive developments between these blockchain platforms come amid significant price movements for both assets. Understanding the current market dynamics and expert projections provides crucial context for investors and industry observers.

Current Market Position

As of early November 2025, XRP is trading at approximately $2.35 with a market capitalization of around $141 billion . The token has demonstrated substantial growth over the past year, posting gains of over 400% year-to-date .

From a technical analysis perspective, XRP appears to have established a solid foundation around the $2.20 level, forming what analysts describe as a “double-bottom” pattern that typically indicates a strong support zone . The cryptocurrency has managed to push through and hold above the $2.55 resistance level, suggesting potential for continued upward movement in the near term.

Short-term and Long-term Projections

Analysts monitoring XRP’s technical indicators suggest that as long as the price remains above $2.55, the setup points toward a move into the $3.00 zone in the next leg up . The Relative Strength Index (RSI) near 55 indicates decent strength without being overbought, while the MACD appears poised to flip bullish soon .

Looking further ahead, predictions vary significantly based on timeframe and underlying assumptions:

· Conservative projections from established exchanges like Kraken suggest a potential price of $3.09 by 2030, assuming a modest 5% annual growth rate .

· More ambitious forecasts from analysts at platforms like Changelly suggest XRP could potentially reach $300 by 2040, though such predictions remain highly speculative.

· Ultra-bullish scenarios based on comparative market capitalization analysis suggest that if XRP were ever to approach gold’s recent $30 trillion market cap (an extremely unlikely scenario), the price per token could theoretically reach approximately $300 .

It’s worth noting that some analysts express caution about XRP’s long-term fundamentals, pointing out that Ripple’s own stablecoin ambitions (RLUSD) could potentially cannibalize XRP’s role as a bridge asset in On-Demand Liquidity transactions .

Implications for African Markets and Beyond

The competition between Ripple and Solana has particular significance for African markets, where efficient cross-border payments and remittances are crucial economic drivers.

The Remittance Factor

Africa receives substantial remittance flows from diaspora communities worldwide, with traditional money transfer operators like Western Union and MoneyGram maintaining strong presence across the continent. The efficiency gains promised by blockchain technology could significantly reduce costs and settlement times for these transfers, potentially directing more money into the hands of recipients.

Should Solana’s partnership with Western Union lead to tangible improvements in service delivery, it could accelerate adoption of blockchain-based solutions in key African corridors. Similarly, Ripple’s continued partnerships with financial institutions could enhance banking infrastructure across the continent.

Emerging Ecosystem Opportunities

Beyond remittances, the competition between these platforms may spur innovation in Africa’s growing fintech sector. Solana’s robust ecosystem for decentralized applications could inspire African developers to build solutions tailored to local market needs, while Ripple’s focus on financial institution partnerships may lead to more formal banking sector integrations.

The potential approval of XRP and Solana ETFs could also provide new investment avenues for African investors seeking exposure to digital assets through regulated vehicles, potentially mirroring the Wall Street interest in Solana ETFs noted in recent reports .

Conclusion: An Evolving Competitive Landscape

The blockchain payments landscape remains fluid, with both Ripple and Solana demonstrating distinct competitive advantages in their pursuit of institutional adoption. Western Union’s decision to build on Solana while maintaining indirect access to Ripple’s technology through its Intermex acquisition highlights how financial institutions may increasingly embrace a multi-chain approach rather than exclusive partnerships.

For Ripple to compete effectively, it must leverage its established regulatory compliance and specialized focus on financial settlement, while continuing to expand its network of banking partnerships. The potential launch of an XRP ETF in November 2026 could provide additional institutional validation , while the pursuit of a national bank charter could further cement its position within the traditional financial system .

As the competition unfolds, African markets stand to benefit from the technological innovation and improved services that this rivalry will likely produce. Whether for cross-border remittances, banking sector modernization, or new investment opportunities, the outcome of this blockchain competition will have meaningful implications for financial inclusion and economic development across the continent.