Grayscale classified XRP as a "global payments" asset, separating it from bitcoin's store-of-value and ethereum's smart-contract roles.
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Grayscale classifies XRP as global payments asset near $1.11
Grayscale classified XRP as a "global payments" asset, separating it from bitcoin's store-of-value and ethereum's smart-contract roles.
XRP traded at $1.11 on July 12 after Grayscale Investments classified the token as a "global payments" asset within its digital asset framework.
"Every asset has its narrative," Grayscale said in a July 8 post on X, placing XRP at the center of global payments while assigning bitcoin to digital money and ethereum to the world computer category.
The classification places XRP alongside seven other tokens in Grayscale's framework, including Solana as "high performance," Hyperliquid as "onchain trading 24/7," and Chainlink as "tokenization & oracles." Grayscale offers investment products tied to all eight tokens, including the XRP Trust ETF (GXRP) on NYSE Arca.
The designation strengthens XRP's position within institutional discussions about blockchain-based settlement infrastructure. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has pointed to a $16 trillion annual payments and clearing opportunity, with digital asset usage currently representing only a small portion of those flows.
XRP's connection to payment infrastructure has grown alongside broader discussions around blockchain-based settlement and cross-border payments. Ripple continues developing payment products involving XRP and the XRP Ledger, while the token's long-term adoption will depend on integration, network activity, and institutional demand.
On-chain data shows mixed signals for XRP. Active addresses remain 11% below the three-month average, according to CryptoQuant, though transaction volume increased about 3% to 4% over the past week and month. The Network Value to Transactions ratio has declined, which may indicate network usage is stabilizing.
In derivatives markets, Binance XRP Open Interest fell to $399 million by July 10 from more than $500 million in mid-June, CryptoQuant data shows. Funding rates recovered after briefly turning negative in late June, rising 266% week over week to 0.007. CryptoQuant analyst Darkfost noted that excessive short positioning could act as a contrarian signal, similar to conditions seen in April 2025 before XRP's price rallied 126%.
Ripple is set to unlock 1 billion XRP on August 1 as part of its monthly escrow release program, the eighth scheduled unlock of 2026. The company has historically returned a substantial portion of unlocked tokens into escrow, limiting the amount that ultimately enters circulation.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
[1] Grayscale Places XRP at the Center of the Global Payments Narrative[2] Grayscale Names 8 Crypto With Key Narratives Right Now[3] ChatGPT predicts XRP price after Ripple's eighth 1B-token unlock of 2026 - Bitget[4] XRP Spot Buying Rises as Bearish Sentiment Hits Extremes, CryptoQuant Flags Reversal Signal - Bitget
