XRP Ledger validator Vet emphasized XRP's integral role in the XRPL ecosystem during a recent podcast. XRP serves as the native settlement asset, supporting liquidity and compliant DeFi on the ledger. The discussion highlighted XRP's neutrality, as it does not require trust lines or carry counterparty risk, making it central to every transaction on the XRPL. Vet also explained the autobridging feature, which routes trades through XRP to enhance liquidity and price discovery on the decentralized exchange (DEX). Recent upgrades, including a permissioned DEX, aim to facilitate institutional-grade DeFi, aligning with Ripple's push into institutional finance. As more fiat-backed assets launch on XRPL, the demand for XRP in FX swaps and cross-border liquidity is expected to grow, driving long-term structural demand for the asset.