Ripple's annual Swell conference concluded with a palpable sense of optimism and energy, underscored by a clear message from CEO Brad Garlinghouse: the company's journey is far from over. The event, which convened major banks, fintech innovators, and blockchain leaders, served as a testament to Ripple's significant progress since its inception as a disruptor challenging traditional finance.
XtinaRP shared a video clip of Garlinghouse's closing remarks on X, providing the XRP community with a direct look at his reflections and announcements. The Ripple chief revisited the humble beginnings of Swell, celebrated its global evolution, and outlined ambitious plans for the company's next phase.
From Rejection to Revolution
Garlinghouse opened his speech with an anecdote that powerfully illustrated Ripple's resilient spirit. "The concept of Swell popped up in 2017," he recalled. "It was the reaction to Swift not letting us attend Sibos. A true story."
.@Ripple Swell has officially wrapped up and @bgarlinghouse closed it out with some news! pic.twitter.com/2hofhn1M4f
— XtinaRP (@xtina_george) November 5, 2025
Denied access to the global banking summit, Ripple opted to host its own event nearby. "We couldn’t get a booth at Sibos, so we decided to host our own event," Garlinghouse stated. "It wasn’t nearly what we have today, but it was anchored by speakers like Ben Bernanke."
This early act of defiance laid the groundwork for what has become Ripple Swell, now recognized as one of the premier blockchain conferences globally.
A New Financial Era
Reflecting on the event's significant transformation, Garlinghouse remarked, "Nine years later, the world looks profoundly different." He observed that financial institutions, which once largely ignored cryptocurrency, are now actively involved. "Crypto and blockchain have moved from being taboo words to being part of the fabric of society," he declared.
The Ripple CEO emphasized the profound nature of this shift, characterizing it as "a rewiring of financial infrastructure." He told the audience, "We are witnessing things that were simply not possible before. It’s an amazing time to be alive."
Leading From the Front
Garlinghouse highlighted Ripple's decade-long dedication to compliance and transparency, asserting that the company has led not only through innovation but also through unwavering integrity.
"I’m extremely proud that Ripple has been leading from the front," he said. "For over a decade, we have been leading with a compliance-first posture and championing not just XRP but the entire industry."
The Big Announcement: Swell 2026
As the audience anticipated his closing remarks, Garlinghouse delivered a surprise announcement that generated considerable excitement within the XRP community. "Our 10th Swell is going to be a little bit different," he revealed. "We are excited to expand Swell to include not just financial institutions, payment providers, or asset managers, but also developers, investors, researchers, and academics."
He confirmed that the next Swell event will return to New York City next fall. "This is going to be one single beacon event," he stated, promising a larger, more inclusive platform designed to unite both the institutional and developer facets of the XRP ecosystem.
A Unified Future
Garlinghouse concluded his address with expressions of gratitude and inspiration. "You are all parts of this movement," he told the attendees. "The work is nowhere near done, but if the conversations over the last two days have proven anything, it’s that we’re just getting started."
While Ripple Swell 2025 has concluded, the upcoming expanded event next year signals that Garlinghouse's message is clear: the XRP community's journey has only just begun.