A simple infographic can reshape how institutions view digital assets. When a major banking group highlights XRP’s speed, it shares more than a catchy label—it signals potential structural change.
SMQKE recently pointed to a 2022 infographic from Natixis, a subsidiary of Groupe BPCE, labeling XRP the “fastest” cryptocurrency for cross-border payments. That mention ties a respected institutional analysis to fresh momentum behind mainstream crypto adoption in France.
The Significance of the Natixis Infographic
In 2022, Natixis produced a short yet powerful infographic that compared settlement speeds across payment methods. In that graphic, XRP stood out for near-instant international transfers.
Traditional wires and correspondent-bank methods, by contrast, often take days to settle. The contrast remains stark, and the graphic still resonates for any bank weighing alternatives to slow legacy rails.
BPCE, one of France’s largest financial institutions, recognizes XRP as the “fastest” cryptocurrency.
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Such a label from a major banking group is not mere marketing. It reflects technical characteristics: XRP’s ledger can finalize transactions in seconds when liquidity and network conditions are appropriate. While speed can vary depending on implementation, the basic design supports fast settlement—a feature that remains rare among traditional banking rails.
BPCE Moves Into Regulated Crypto Services
BPCE has taken concrete steps toward offering cryptocurrency services. Its dedicated digital-asset subsidiary, Hexarq, recently secured official authorization from France’s financial markets regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF). This license allows Hexarq to provide custody, buying, selling, and euro-denominated trading of crypto.
Hexarq plans to integrate crypto services into BPCE’s established retail networks—Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne. These banks together serve roughly 35 million customers. That regulatory approval under France’s new crypto-asset framework signals an important shift. Traditional banks are beginning to embrace digital assets under legal oversight.
Why Speed and Banking Infrastructure Matter
For a banking group, speed means efficiency. Cross-border wires often involve intermediaries and multiple banking corridors, causing delays and high fees. A faster settlement rail reduces counterparty risk, frees up capital, and improves liquidity management.
If a bank can settle transactions in seconds rather than days, it can reconsider how it handles international payments and even remittances.
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When BPCE contemplates offering crypto through Hexarq, the “fastest crypto” label for XRP gains renewed relevance. The bank might view digital assets not as speculative instruments, but as functional rails for payments and value transfer.
What This Could Mean for XRP’s Market Perception
Institutional recognition matters. A major bank evaluating crypto as a payment rail changes the narrative from “crypto tokens” to “digital settlement infrastructure.” That shift broadens use cases: cross-border remittance, business payments, corporate treasury, and beyond.
If BPCE integrates crypto for retail and business clients, demand for on-chain liquidity could rise. XRP—already noted for speed—may benefit from renewed interest, particularly if banks or payment services choose it for rails.
Prudence and Implementation Realities
Calling XRP the “fastest” does not guarantee flawless execution. Speed depends on liquidity, exchange rails, and technical integration. Banks must manage compliance, custody, and regulatory requirements.
Hexarq’s approval is necessary—but not sufficient—for wide adoption. BPCE itself noted that a 2025 launch is not guaranteed and will depend on ongoing risk assessments.
In conclusion, by highlighting XRP’s speed, Natixis provided a credible, institutional frame for crypto’s utility. BPCE’s regulatory approval via Hexarq shows that French banking is opening toward real crypto integration.
If banks use crypto like XRP to power payments, the “fastest crypto” label may evolve from marketing to functional reality. The coming months will reveal whether that promise materializes—and whether XRP becomes a core digital settlement rail.