A recent post on X has generated renewed interest in XRP following a shared image from CoinMarketCap by crypto pundit XRP Update (@XrpUdate). The image displayed a new category labeled "ISO 20022 coins," with XRP prominently positioned at the top.
The post emphasized XRP's leading placement within this category, noting that the asset is "leading the pack." This update coincides with the global transition to the ISO 20022 standard, a development that has prompted many market participants to explore the potential connections between digital assets and this evolving financial landscape.
BOOOOOOOOOOOM
CoinMarketCap just activated an ISO 20022 category… and guess who’s sitting at the top? 👑$XRP leading the pack EXACTLY where it belongs.
The migration is here. The shift is real. 🌐 pic.twitter.com/Ki7dDl5C2Z
— XRP Update (@XrpUdate) November 22, 2025
The Transition to ISO 20022
ISO 20022 represents a modern messaging standard designed for financial transactions, including payments. Financial institutions and payment providers are in the process of migrating from older MT messages to new MX messages, which offer enhanced data structure. This transition aims to improve payment accuracy by establishing a standardized format for instructions, account details, and reporting.
SWIFT's deadline for this transition was November 22, and the adoption of this new standard is expected to continue across the global financial sector. Banks are required to implement the new format to prevent message failures. Many experts now view this transition as a potential pathway for XRP to integrate into the global monetary system.
ISO 20022 and XRP
The ISO 20022 standard itself does not alter the fundamental workings of a blockchain; it exclusively impacts how financial institutions send and receive payment messages. Ripple has engineered its technology to align with the requirements of ISO 20022. RippleNet is capable of transmitting messages that adhere to the new format, thereby preparing the system for banks that are completing their migration to the standard.
It is important to note that XRP itself is not ISO 20022 compliant, nor is any other cryptocurrency. However, the compliance of Ripple's systems creates a viable channel for XRP to operate within financial systems that adopt the standard. This also supports potential interoperability with SWIFT-linked networks that are anticipating ISO 20022 messaging.
XRP’s Role Within Payment Networks
Ripple has developed tools to facilitate faster and more cost-effective cross-border money transfers for institutions. XRP was specifically designed to address the global payment challenges faced by banks. These tools can leverage XRP as a bridge asset. By utilizing Ripple's technology, banks can send ISO 20022-ready messages, which assists them in maintaining alignment with international standards.
This capability positions XRP to potentially play a significant role in future payment flows. It also clarifies why the asset is frequently highlighted in discussions surrounding the shift to structured messaging. XRP Update's recent post underscored the asset's top ranking on CoinMarketCap's new ISO 20022 category.
The image shared also featured several other tokens, including Stellar (XLM), Hedera (HBAR), Internet Computer (ICP), Algorand (ALGO), and Quant (QNT). Each of these networks is developing features to support enterprise or payment-related activities. However, XRP's proximity to ISO 20022 compliance is cited as the primary reason for its leading position on the list.