Why digital euro could destroy Ripple’s XRP, brace for impact

• ECB’s policymaker Olli Rehn announced that the investigation phase for the digital euro will be completed in October 2023. 
• Proponents argue that a CBDC has the potential to derail payment currencies like USDT and Ripple’s XRP. 
• XRP price outlook remains bearish, analysts predict decline to the $0.25 level. 

Ripple’s XRP is a leading altcoin used for cross-border payment settlement. The rise of central bank digital currencies (CBDC) and a potential ban on stablecoins, poses a risk for XRP’s adoption and utility. 

Also read: SEC v. Ripple update: Regulator argues Hinman’s speech is not relevant to the lawsuit

Digital Euro decision will be out by October 2023

Olli Rehn, a Finnish European Central Bank policymaker, said in a speech that the investigation phase for a possible digital euro currency is expected to be concluded in October 2023. After the investigation, the ECB will decide whether to embark on the quest to develop a digital euro or not. Rehn’s speech has been released on Wednesday. 

Olli Rehn, Finnish ECB Policymaker

The European Central Bank published its key objectives for the digital euro in a blog post authored by ECB President Christine Lagarde and executive board member Fabio Panetta. The document laid out basic considerations for a digital euro meant for public use. 

The blog post reads,

The digital euro can only be successful if it becomes part of the everyday lives of Europeans. It must add value compared with existing solutions.

Digital euro utility

The digital euro investigation phase will be wrapped up in the autumn of 2023. The ECB has a reticent stand on its findings and details of the experiment apart from declaring the end of the investigation. The central bank has mentioned how likely it is to increase the proposed amount of digital euros in circulation to 1.5 trillion euros. This would help control the negative effects on financial stability. 

Potential ban on USD Tether USDT in the European Union?

The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Legislation is likely to announce an effective ban on dollar-pegged stablecoins USD Tether (USDT) and USDC. Lobbyists have warned crypto investors the consequences of a ban on stablecoins could have negative consequences on the ecosystem. 

How the Digital Euro poses a threat to XRP

Central bank digital currencies like the digital euro are expected to be used for payment settlement. The ECB is likely to drive large scale adoption of the digital euro based on its blog post. Therefore, a CBDC poses tough competition to cryptocurrencies like XRP used for cross-border payment settlements by Ripple.

Ripple Partnerships

Ripple’s vendors and partners are large-scale financial institutions, but the adoption of CBDCs like digital euro could slow down their expansion plans. A decline in adoption and utility of XRP could negatively impact the altcoin’s price. 

Analysts predict decline in XRP price

Analysts revealed a bearish outlook on XRP. Crypto analysts at InvestingCube believe the XRP price chart shows signs of a prolonged bearish accumulation phase. A breakout to the $0.30-$0.40 level could invalidate the bearish thesis and result in a massive price rally. 

XRP-USDT price chart

However, XRP price is trading in the middle of the range, awaiting Bitcoin’s next move. The altcoin is likely to retest its range lows at the $0.29 level.