In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Teucrium Trading CEO Sal Gilbertie offered a strong endorsement of XRP, emphasizing its real-world utility over other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Known primarily for its specialization in commodity-focused ETFs, Teucrium’s growing interest in digital assets signals a larger trend of traditional finance (TradFi) firms embracing blockchain technology for its tangible applications.
XRP Over Bitcoin: A Utility-Driven Choice
Gilbertie didn’t mince words when explaining why Teucrium is betting on XRP. He stressed that while Bitcoin is often seen as a store of value—comparable to “digital gold”—XRP distinguishes itself with practical use cases, particularly in areas like cross-border payments and liquidity management.
“We believe in XRP. We’re not making a price prediction, but we do believe it’s a coin with the most utility out there,” Gilbertie stated.
He further praised Ripple’s corporate team, describing them as “really professional people working really hard,” and noted that their demeanor reminded him of “investment bankers,” suggesting a disciplined, experienced approach to building and scaling financial solutions.
Why XRP’s Utility Stands Out
Unlike many cryptocurrencies that thrive purely on speculation, XRP is actively used by a number of financial institutions and payment providers globally. Ripple, the company closely tied to XRP’s development, has focused on making cross-border payments faster, cheaper, and more reliable—a massive improvement over the traditional, costly SWIFT network.
A few key areas where XRP showcases its utility:
- Cross-Border Payments: RippleNet allows financial institutions to settle cross-border transactions in seconds, with very low fees.
- Liquidity Solutions: Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service uses XRP to provide liquidity for cross-border payments, reducing the need for pre-funded accounts.
- Micropayments and Remittances: XRP’s speed and low cost make it ideal for small, high-frequency payments.
These real-world applications make XRP one of the few digital assets that isn’t solely reliant on market hype or speculative trading for its valuation.
Ripple’s Recent Progress
Beyond Gilbertie’s comments, Ripple itself has made notable advancements in 2024 and 2025:
- Legal Wins: Ripple scored significant victories against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with courts affirming that XRP is not inherently a security—boosting institutional confidence.
- Expansion of RippleNet: Ripple continues to onboard banks, payment providers, and financial institutions to its growing network, particularly in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
- CBDC Projects: Ripple is actively working with multiple central banks globally to develop central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), further showcasing XRP’s adaptability.
Traditional Finance (TradFi) Eyes Utility in Crypto
Teucrium’s move to focus on XRP is not isolated. Other major TradFi players, including BlackRock, Fidelity, and Franklin Templeton, have also started exploring cryptocurrencies, but many are now emphasizing utility-driven assets rather than pure speculative bets.
Gilbertie’s comments reflect a growing trend: investors and financial institutions are seeking digital assets with real-world value propositions, not just digital scarcity.
“We see XRP, not just as a speculative token, but as a real solution to real financial problems,” Gilbertie concluded.
