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PAXG 
XRP SMQKE claims that SWIFT is being upgraded to Ripple
SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG), a cryptocurrency researcher focusing on XRP, posted a claim on the X platform that quickly spread among traders. He claimed that "SWIFT is being upgraded to Ripple." He cited a video from investor Matthew Le Merle to support his claim. The post came shortly after another statement about SWIFT and XRP drew a public response from a former SWIFT executive and criticism from community members.
Video content
Le Merle discusses a wide-ranging change that is taking place in the financial sector. He said digital tools are replacing old infrastructure across the industry. He cited several examples to illustrate this point: Custodians such as Anchorage and Fireblocks are responsible for storing digital assets, and exchanges such as Kraken provide markets for buying and selling. He called these part of a broader construction of digital financial infrastructure.
Then he talked specifically about payment networks. "We're upgrading things like Swift, Visa or MasterCard," he said,"to digital counterparts with names like Ripple or Yellowcard." His comments supported SMQKE's claim that legacy systems are being upgraded. However, some people may think the researcher exaggerated Le Merle's views.
Le Merle went on to cite examples, pointing out that Tether and Circle have digitized the U.S. dollar, PaxGold tokenized physical gold, and Bitcoin and Ethereum are seen in his framework as new commodities alongside traditional commodities such as gold.
Original quote
“SWIFT is being upgraded to Ripple.”
Listen for yourself.
- SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) July 12, 2026
On the background of this quote
Le Merle lists Ripple and Yellowcard together as digital equivalents corresponding to categories that include SWIFT, Visa and Mastercard. He did not specifically pair SWIFT with Ripple, nor did he say the two companies had any relationship. His comments described a pattern in the payments industry where new digital alternatives challenge several older networks. Ripple and Yellowcard, two examples of these alternatives, are not tied to a particular predecessor.
What is the status quo
SWIFT has not yet issued a statement in response to Le Merle's video or SMQKE's latest post. The researcher received support and positive responses from many people in the community. Tom Zschach, former chief innovation officer at SWIFT, refuted SMQKE's claim that SWIFT supports XRP. Zschach has received some criticism from the XRP Corps for his opposition to Ripple and XRP. However, SMQKE's claims were also criticized by XRP ledger verifier Vet, who agreed that SWIFT did not use XRP and urged the community to block anyone making such claims. As of press time, Zschach has not responded to SMQKE's latest updates.
