Ripple and Stellar have been named to FXC Intelligence’s Top 100 Cross-Border Payments Companies list for 2026. The ranking, which was highlighted by analyst AllInCrypto, places the two blockchain networks alongside traditional giants such as Visa, Barclays, Bank of America, Standard Chartered, Deutsche Bank, SWIFT, PayPal, BNY, and MoneyGram.
A Shift in Perception
This is not a crypto-specific list. FXC Intelligence focuses on the global payments industry, meaning Ripple and Stellar are being measured against long-established financial infrastructure. For years, these banks and payment processors have defined how money moves across borders. Seeing Ripple and Stellar beside them suggests that blockchain networks are no longer seen as experimental. Instead, they are increasingly viewed as part of operational payment systems.
The timing is notable. There has been some tension between supporters of Stellar (XLM) and Ripple’s XRP, especially around tokenization initiatives linked to the DTCC. But this list suggests a different story. Tokenization strategies are becoming multi-network, where different platforms are chosen based on compliance, liquidity, and settlement needs. Ripple and Stellar appearing together in the same index points less to rivalry and more to parallel integration.
Different Strengths, Same Goal
Ripple’s inclusion reinforces its focus on institutional cross-border settlement. The company has long targeted banks and remittance providers looking for alternatives to traditional correspondent banking. Its emphasis is on liquidity efficiency.
Stellar, meanwhile, leans into low-cost transfers and financial access. Emerging markets remain a central use case, where remittances and inclusion are key. The two networks have different approaches, but both are now recognized in the same category as Visa and PayPal.
A Blended Landscape
The broader FXC list shows how mixed the payments industry has become. Alongside Ripple and Stellar, there are major crypto firms like Circle, Coinbase, Binance, and Tether. But the list is still anchored by traditional banking and payment giants. This mix reflects an industry in transition, where digital asset infrastructure is being embedded within existing financial rails rather than operating outside them.
I think what matters most here is that the inclusion is less about competition and more about normalization. Blockchain and crypto networks are now being assessed in the same category as global payment processors. They are becoming functional components of cross-border financial infrastructure, not isolated innovations. That shift is worth paying attention to.
