In an industry that constantly touts innovation and fast-moving breakthroughs, Ripple’s long-term success, according to its Chairman Chris Larsen, comes from something far less flashy—trust.

Larsen, co-founder and Chairman of Ripple, shared this perspective during a recent appearance on the podcast “When Shift Happens” hosted by Kevin Follonier. While many blockchain projects aim to revolutionize financial infrastructure through new technology, Larsen emphasized that Ripple’s most valuable asset is the trust it has earned from global financial institutions.

“It’s not about tech, but about trust,” Larsen said during the conversation. “We’ve earned the trust of the financial world… that takes a lot of work and consistency.”

A Strategy Rooted in Long-Term Credibility

For Larsen, Ripple’s credibility didn’t come overnight. It’s been more than 13 years since the company began its journey, and he credits its long-term presence and steady performance as critical to gaining the confidence of banks, payment firms, and regulators.

Rather than chasing hype cycles or pivoting with every trend, Ripple has stayed true to its original mission: making global payments faster, cheaper, and more reliable.

This consistent approach has helped Ripple stand out in a crowded crypto landscape often driven by speculation and marketing. According to Larsen, it’s that trust—not just the technical solution—that ultimately wins over enterprises and regulatory bodies.

Major Partnerships Reflect Ripple’s Trusted Status

Ripple’s decade-long commitment to working with traditional finance is reflected in its partnerships with some of the world’s leading institutions. Over the years, Ripple has worked closely with major players like SBI Holdings, Santander, MoneyGram, American Express, and Standard Chartered.

These partnerships weren’t driven by hype or aggressive expansion tactics but by a deliberate and measured approach to integrating Ripple’s technology into existing financial systems.

In 2018, SBI Ripple Asia introduced Money

Tap, a domestic payments app powered by Ripple in Japan. That same year, Santander began offering One Pay FX, a Ripple-based solution for cross-border payments. These initiatives reflect how Ripple’s tools were adopted in real-world scenarios with a focus on practical results.

Expanding Global Footprint with Strategic Moves

Ripple’s global expansion hasn’t slowed in recent years. In 2023, the company acquired Swiss digital asset custody firm Metaco for $250 million, strengthening its position in the enterprise custody space. This move was followed in 2025 by its acquisition of institutional credit and settlement platform Hidden Road for $1.25 billion.

Alongside these acquisitions, Ripple has earned critical regulatory licenses that allow it to operate in tightly regulated markets. For example, the company secured a digital payments license from Singapore’s central bank in 2023, and it currently holds over 50 money transmitter licenses across the United States.

These regulatory wins further cement Ripple’s image as a reliable and trustworthy player in the crypto and financial technology sectors.

Trust is Built From the Inside Out

Larsen also highlighted Ripple’s internal culture as a key driver of its success. According to him, the strength of the company isn’t just in what it builds, but in how it builds it—and who’s behind it.

He praised Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garling

house, for maintaining the company’s values even as the crypto market experienced extreme highs and lows.

“Hats off to Brad for continuing and staying really pure to the culture,” Larsen said. He described the Ripple team as “amazing, dedicated people… working every single day very hard with the right core values and their heart.”

This emphasis on culture is rare in the often cutthroat world of crypto startups, and it may help explain why Ripple has remained a major player through multiple market cycles.

RLUSD and Ripple’s Continued Expansion

Ripple’s latest stablecoin product, RLUSD, is another example of the company’s commitment to solving problems in a compliant and trusted way. Released to serve institutional payment flows and cross-border settlements, RLUSD is designed with regulatory clarity and liquidity in mind—qualities that are often overlooked in the rush to compete in the stablecoin space.

The rollout of RLUSD fits into Ripple’s broader vision: becoming a go-to platform for enterprise-grade blockchain financial services. Unlike many companies that enter the market quickly and disappear just as fast, Ripple’s focus on consistency, partnerships, and trust continues to drive its momentum.

Final Thoughts

While many crypto firms boast about new features or ambitious promises, Ripple has taken a different route—one grounded in patience, clarity, and relationships. Chris Larsen’s message is clear: technology is only one piece of the puzzle. What truly matters is the ability to build trust with institutions, governments, and users around the world.

With more than a decade of experience and a growing portfolio of strategic partnerships and regulatory approvals, Ripple has demonstrated that staying power in crypto isn’t just about innovation—it’s about integrity.