Longtime Bitcoin Supporter Recognizes the Rising Roles of XRP and Solana

In a surprising change of tone, a longtime Bitcoin supporter has publicly recognized the rising roles of other cryptocurrencies—specifically XRP and Solana—in building the future of global finance.

In a surprising change of tone, a longtime Bitcoin supporter has publicly recognized the rising roles of other cryptocurrencies—specifically XRP and Solana—in building the future of global finance.

During a recent panel shared by crypto influencer Xaif (@Xaif_Crypt), industry leaders including Dave Weisberger, President of BetterTrade.digital, joined a discussion about how digital assets are evolving from speculative investments into real infrastructure.

Weisberger, once known for his strong belief that Bitcoin would be the only long-term survivor in the crypto space, said that utility—not popularity—will ultimately determine which blockchain networks thrive. He pointed to XRP and Solana as two projects showing real promise as foundational layers for payments and trading in a modern, blockchain-powered financial system.

From Speculation to Real-World Function

Cryptocurrencies have often been viewed as tools for speculation, attracting traders hoping for big profits in short timeframes. But as blockchain technology matures, some assets are starting to play more important roles behind the scenes—powering transfers, settling transactions, and providing the infrastructure that could replace aging financial systems.

Weisberger explained that XRP and Solana are both well positioned to serve as what he called “base layers”—that is, the underlying protocols through which most global financial activity could flow. Unlike many crypto tokens that exist primarily for investment or hype, these two projects are focused on solving real-world problems.

“If these platforms can support global transactions faster and cheaper than current systems, they’ll naturally become more valuable,” said Weisberger during the discussion.

XRP’s Role in Payments

XRP, developed by Ripple, has long targeted the payments industry, with a focus on cross-border transfers. Traditional systems like SWIFT are often slow and expensive. XRP offers a faster, more cost-effective alternative, and has already partnered with several banks and financial firms around the world.

According to Weisberger, XRP’s potential lies in its ability to serve as the foundation for next-generation stablecoins, including Ripple’s own RLUSD or bank-backed digital tokens like JPMorgan’s JPM Coin. If XRP becomes the protocol that supports these currencies behind the scenes, it could become a major part of the global financial infrastructure.

However, Weisberger also warned that real adoption is key. It’s not enough to have the technology—people, institutions, and governments need to use it at scale. Without widespread adoption, the long-term value may remain unrealized.

Solana’s Path to Institutional Use

Solana, another high-speed blockchain known for its low fees, is sometimes dismissed for being heavily associated with retail trading. But Weisberger argued that it’s quickly evolving beyond that.

He believes Solana has the potential to become a platform for much broader use—especially in trading and financial systems. If it continues to develop infrastructure that supports real financial products, not just consumer hype, its value could rise significantly.

“Solana could end up being the tech layer for global trading systems, not just fun tokens,” Weisberger noted.

Why This Matters for the Future of Blockchain

The discussion touched on a key shift happening in the crypto industry: the move from hype-driven narratives to real, working infrastructure.

As more institutions explore blockchain for payments, lending, tokenized assets, and other financial services, the technology behind the scenes becomes more important than the coins themselves.

Ethan, which was briefly mentioned during the panel, has already seen some adoption in tokenization projects. But XRP and Solana were highlighted as especially relevant for two critical parts of the financial system: moving money and trading assets.

These roles aren’t flashy, but they’re essential. And in a world where speed, cost-efficiency, and interoperability are becoming priorities, the best-performing systems will likely win out—not the most well-known tokens.

Growing Institutional Interest

Across the financial world, interest in blockchain continues to rise. Large institutions, from central banks to investment firms, are testing or starting blockchain-based products.

For projects like XRP and Solana, the question is no longer whether blockchain has a role to play, but how big that role will be.

Weisberger’s comments show that even those who were once skeptical of anything outside Bitcoin are now acknowledging the value of these systems. That doesn’t mean Bitcoin is going away—in fact, it remains the top crypto by market cap and an increasingly accepted store of value. But the future of finance may be built on a broader set of tools.

As he put it, “The story isn’t just about price anymore. It’s about utility—and the tech that actually works.”

Looking Ahead

The panel ended with a shared agreement that the next big winners in crypto won’t be the loudest or most hyped. They’ll be the projects that actually get used.

If XRP can continue making progress in the payments world—and Solana can deepen its role in financial infrastructure—they may be shaping the next generation of global finance.