Ripple is strategically shifting XRP's role from a cross-border payments token to a key player in institutional decentralized finance (DeFi). This pivot, highlighted by Ripple executive Ross Edwards, aims to integrate XRP into the backbone of crypto-native infrastructure on Wall Street. The company is focusing on enhancing XRP Ledger's utility by launching a native lending protocol, positioning XRP as a collateral source for borrowing and lending activities traditionally dominated by Ethereum-based DeFi platforms. A critical component of this strategy is Ripple's introduction of RLUSD, a stablecoin designed to facilitate tokenized asset markets and institutional lending. Edwards emphasized the necessity of stablecoins for practical cash value realization in tokenized real-world assets. This marks a significant evolution in Ripple's approach, moving from merely promoting asset tokenization to optimizing yield generation and 24/7 operations for institutional clients.