Institutional interest in XRPL DeFi is on the rise as the appeal of crypto meme coins diminishes. Ripple Labs is spearheading this shift with a $500 million investment initiative focused on regulatory advancements and DeFi infrastructure development. Key financial entities like Franklin Templeton and Canary Capital are increasingly engaging with the XRP Ledger, underscoring its potential to drive the next wave of crypto adoption. This trend highlights a broader market movement towards utility-driven blockchain models. Ripple's strategic investments and protocol enhancements are positioning the XRPL as a significant player in the evolving DeFi landscape, reflecting a shift in focus from speculative assets to platforms with tangible utility.