- THORChain will soon launch native XRP swaps, enabling decentralized trading without exchanges or wrapped tokens.
- The move boosts XRP’s DeFi presence and sets the stage for features like lending and perpetual trading.
XRP is on the brink of a significant leap into the decentralized finance (DeFi) space as THORChain gears up to launch native support for the asset on its mainnet.This move could redefine XRP trading and usage across the crypto ecosystem, as it offers XRP and RUNE holders greater flexibility, decentralization, and potential yields.
Decentralized Swaps Without the Middleman
On April 29, THORChain announced that XRP swaps are “coming soon” to its mainnet, marking a major milestone for the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap. The integration will allow users to swap XRP natively with other supported assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and BNB—without the need for centralized exchanges, wrapped tokens, or custodial services.
The development has been in the works since at least April 11, when XRP swaps went live on THORChain’s stagenet (testnet). Now, with mainnet launch expected in May, XRP holders will gain access to decentralized, non-custodial trading through self-custody wallets.
A Boost for XRP’s DeFi Presence
Until now, centralized platforms have handled most of XRP’s trading activity, limiting its use in DeFi. With an average daily trading volume of $2 billion, XRP’s integration into THORChain is set to boost swap activity and increase protocol fees across the ecosystem.
This shift could also signal the end of reliance on synthetic derivatives and wrapped tokens for XRP DeFi exposure, streamlining user access and enhancing security through native asset support.
Looking Ahead: Lending and Perpetual Trading for XRP?
The integration could be just the beginning. THORChain hinted that this milestone paves the way for XRP’s expansion into advanced DeFi features via the Rujira Network, a platform offering OTC trading, interoperability, and additional DeFi capabilities. Future possibilities may include native lending, perpetual trading, and spot order books—all previously unavailable to XRP holders.
As Ripple and other protocols like Flare push for broader programmability on the XRP Ledger, THORChain’s move adds fuel to the fire, bringing real utility and decentralized access to an asset long considered underserved in the DeFi sector.
With mainnet integration around the corner, XRP’s DeFi journey is finally beginning—and it could change the landscape for both XRP and THORChain in the months ahead.
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