A silent transformation is taking place within the world’s most powerful financial institutions. Central banks, once cautious of cryptocurrencies, are now exploring the very technologies that underpin them to modernize their monetary systems.
As the race toward Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) accelerates, a familiar name has begun to re-emerge in European discussions — Ripple and its digital asset, XRP.
The Banque de France and Its Digital Ambitions
France’s central bank, the Banque de France, has been one of the earliest European institutions to experiment with blockchain and distributed ledger technology (DLT). Since 2016, it has been testing blockchain to manage SEPA Credit Identifiers (SCIs). This move has enabled faster data sharing and automation through smart contracts.
These experiments, now integrated into parts of the SEPA network, represent the bank’s long-term effort to explore how digital ledgers could enhance cross-border and interbank payments.
In a document highlighted by crypto analyst SMQKE, references were made to ongoing CBDC research within the Banque de France. The report notes that the central bank is “actively considering” Ripple’s XRP as a potential technological foundation for a digital euro — a remarkable indication of how traditional finance is evaluating previously unconventional technologies.
XRP Bank of France
Documented.
https://t.co/cNUB0LBw03pic.twitter.com/mDzhhjQXTs
— SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) October 14, 2025
Ripple’s Technology and the CPA Australia Report
A report by CPA Australia, titled “Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs): A Comparative Review,” provides deeper insight into this consideration. The publication identifies Ripple as one of the most promising blockchain platforms for CBDC implementation.
Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, Ripple’s XRP Ledger operates with a unique consensus mechanism designed for stability and efficiency — attributes that align well with the institutional requirements of a central bank digital currency.
The report emphasizes that XRP’s infrastructure offers near-instant settlements, low transaction costs, and scalability, all of which are essential for a European digital currency capable of supporting millions of transactions daily.
It contrasts XRP’s predictability and centralized governance with Bitcoin’s volatility, concluding that Ripple’s model fits more naturally with the design goals of a CBDC tied to fiat stability.
A Broader Global Trend Toward Blockchain Integration
According to research cited by SMQKE from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the World Economic Forum, over 40 central banks globally are testing blockchain systems for CBDC development.
The Banque de France is among the early pioneers, alongside the Bank of England, the Bank of Canada, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore. This growing adoption underscores a clear direction: the future of money will be digital, and blockchain is poised to form the backbone of that evolution.
The Bank of France’s application of blockchain within the SEPA framework already demonstrates tangible progress. By automating information exchange through smart contracts, the central bank has laid the groundwork for more complex DLT-driven systems — including a potential digital euro based on private blockchain infrastructure.
XRP’s Strategic Advantage in the CBDC Race
Ripple’s focus on institutional-grade payments makes it a strong candidate for partnership with central banks. The company’s technology supports interoperability between existing financial networks and future CBDC frameworks — a capability that few blockchain platforms can offer with similar efficiency.
As SMQKE’s post underscores, this interoperability could be crucial in enabling seamless, borderless digital settlements across Europe and beyond.
While the Banque de France has made no formal announcement regarding XRP’s adoption, credible reports and official documents confirm that Ripple’s technology remains under serious evaluation. This recognition signals not speculation, but a gradual convergence between traditional finance and blockchain innovation.
The Banque de France’s exploration of XRP represents more than just a technological experiment — it marks a potential shift in the European financial landscape. By testing Ripple’s blockchain for payment efficiency and CBDC applications, France is positioning itself at the forefront of digital currency modernization.
As global efforts toward CBDC development accelerate, XRP’s inclusion in these discussions reflects its growing legitimacy as a bridge between the old and new worlds of finance.