Ripple's flagship event, Swell 2025, has brought together major figures across finance, crypto, and policy to shape conversations around the future of money and blockchain innovation. The conference, currently underway, has seen influential voices emphasize how traditional financial systems are converging with digital assets.
Ripple President Monica Long opened the event by highlighting the company’s vision for a more connected financial ecosystem. Her remarks set the stage for a broader discussion with Nasdaq Chair and CEO Adena Friedman, who spoke about the transformative power of blockchain technology and digital assets in modern markets.
Their exchange underscored the growing collaboration between traditional institutions and the crypto sector.
Traditional Finance Meets Crypto Innovation
The dialogue deepened as other industry leaders shared their perspectives on on-chain finance. Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley noted that traditional financial services and crypto “are finally coming together,” reflecting a new era of integration and collaboration.
Meanwhile, Kraken Co-CEO David Ripley described stablecoins as “a far superior payment mechanism than anything in traditional finance,” underscoring how digital currencies are evolving beyond speculation into practical financial tools.
Additionally, discussions at Swell 2025 explored how blockchain can streamline transactions, improve transparency, and redefine trust in the global economy. Speakers emphasized that innovation in this space is no longer limited to startups, as established institutions increasingly adopt decentralized technologies.
Ripple’s Leadership and the Road Ahead
According to Patrick Witt, a top U.S. digital asset advisor, excitement continues to grow around the event. He expressed enthusiasm about sharing the stage with Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse to discuss the future of financial infrastructure, stating that “the future is bright.” His comments were reshared by Garlinghouse, signaling Ripple’s commitment to bridging policy, technology, and finance.
Ripple’s Swell 2025 has once again positioned itself as a key platform where financial leaders align on strategies to merge the old and new worlds of finance.
With topics spanning stablecoins, blockchain policy, and digital asset adoption, the event continues to reaffirm that the conversation around finance is shifting firmly toward a decentralized and interoperable future.