The XRP ($1.83) Ledger (XRPL) has taken a major leap in utility and global reach with the native launch of USDC ($1.00), the world's largest regulated stablecoin. As the news gains traction, Santiago Velez, President of Block Digital, views the development as a win for the broader ecosystem, regardless of the motives behind the move. USDC Now Live on XRPL For context, on June 13, Circle officially launched native USDC on the XRP Ledger mainnet. This integration makes the stablecoin directly accessible without the need for bridges.  Notably, Circle Mint and Circle APIs fully support the integration, enabling fast, low-cost settlement for developers, fintech firms, and institutions using XRPL's Layer-1 blockchain. With this update, USDC on XRPL can power enterprise B2B and cross-border payments, DeFi liquidity provisioning and token swaps, and financial applications for faster on/off-ramps and settlements. The XRPL now joins 21 other blockchains with native USDC support, expanding the stablecoin's reach into new payment and finance use cases. Velez: Two Scenarios, One Positive Outlook Notably, in a tweet, Santiago Velez responded to the announcement by outlining two possible interpretations of Circle’s move. He stressed that both are positive for the XRP Ledger's evolution. According to Velez, the integration clearly demonstrates XRPL's open nature. He emphasized that it shows the XRPL is genuinely open and permissionless, as Circle didn't need Ripple's approval to launch USDC.  In his view, this demonstrates the network's decentralization in practice. Other commentators added that the development further challenges the claims of Bitcoin maximalists, who assert that XRPL is centralized and requires external permission. Secondly, Velez proposed that the launch may signal a strategic alliance. From this perspective, Ripple and Circle could be coordinating at a deeper level to align for a larger equity play and form a dominant force in stablecoin-based payments infrastructure. Notably, there are ongoing talks of Ripple acquiring Circle. Meanwhile, Velez emphasized that these two scenarios aren't mutually exclusive. Together, they indicate that XRPL is attaining a maturing role in digital finance. Community Reaction The integration of USDC on XRPL has already sparked discussion around future adoption and the strategic timing of the launch.  One community member argued that Circle likely recognizes the launch of RLUSD ($1.00) as a threat to USDC and, therefore, felt compelled to offer USDC on XRPL as an alternative. They suggested launching on a new Layer-1 is easier than forcing liquidity, institutional players, and RWA issuers to migrate to another blockchain. Others who agreed with this view remarked that, regardless of the dynamics, Ripple still stands to benefit. https://twitter.com/XRPLoader589/status/1933349731343946210 Ultimately, Velez argued that the development challenges long-standing critiques of XRPL and opens the door to new partnerships, applications, and momentum for XRP.