The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is moving closer to integrating tokenized precious metals, with developers and industry figures highlighting its technical readiness for such assets. According to recent discussions, the ledger's capabilities for 24/7 access, rapid transfers, and integration with automated market makers (AMMs) make it a suitable platform for tokenized gold and silver.
The initiative has already seen a concrete step forward with Meld Gold, which partnered with Ripple in June 2024 and launched gold and silver tokens on the XRPL in Q3 2024. Each token is backed by one gram of physical metal held by trusted custodians. Phil Kwok, co-founder of Web3 platform EasyA, publicly stated, "tokenized gold is coming to the XRPL," a sentiment echoed by validators like Vet who emphasized the technical fit and potential for constant availability and DeFi tool integration.
Despite existing market demand evidenced by billions in tokenized metals managed by firms like Paxos and Tether, broader adoption on the XRPL faces hurdles. Pano Mekras of Anodos Finance noted that clear economic incentives are the missing piece, suggesting that attracting large-scale projects may require active outreach and stronger on-ledger incentives. Future features like lending and escrow services were mentioned as ways to enhance the utility of these tokenized assets.
Market reaction for XRP has been volatile but not directly linked to the tokenized metals news. In early January 2026, XRP's price surged above $2, touching around $2.41 during a broader market upswing before settling near $2 and experiencing a roughly 14% pullback. Trading showed institutional inflows mixed with profit-taking.
If successful, the integration of tokenized metals could significantly expand the XRPL's use cases beyond payments, adding transaction volume through gold and silver token trading and settlement, and fostering new DeFi applications. Final adoption will hinge on robust custody solutions, audit practices, regulatory clarity, and the creation of compelling economic incentives for major issuers.
