Ripple’s Swell 2025 Conference Signals Major Shift in Blockchain Adoption
Ripple’s Swell 2025 conference in New York has quickly become one of the most talked-about events in the crypto and finance world. Among the highlights was a statement from Maxwell Stein, a member of BlackRock’s digital assets team, that sent the audience into applause and resonated with enthusiasts on social media.
Stein revealed that the global financial market is now ready for large-scale blockchain adoption, and the infrastructure being built by companies like Ripple could soon facilitate the movement of trillions of dollars on-chain.
BlackRock’s Maxwell Stein: “The Crypto Market Is Ready”
During his session, Stein highlighted the transformation underway in global finance. He noted that while traditional securities are still held in legacy systems, the separation between traditional and tokenized assets is gradually disappearing.
He explained that proving utility is the most important factor in gaining broader adoption in the short term. According to Stein, there are currently two types of users driving this shift: those already involved in the crypto space and a second wave of early institutional adopters.
Stein emphasized the need for continued market momentum to demonstrate the practical usefulness of blockchain solutions and attract larger financial players.
“We need that market momentum in order to prove the utility, to actually get the larger players to eventually come in,” he said.
As noted by an XRP advocate named Diana on the social media platform X, Stein credited Ripple and other early builders for proving that blockchain works—not just as a concept, but as real financial infrastructure.
The idea that trillions in capital could eventually move through blockchain rails represents a fundamental change in how the world’s financial systems might operate. What once sounded like a myth in crypto’s early days has begun to take shape as reality, with major traditional finance players entering the crypto space every day.
Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman Highlights the Importance of Regulation
Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman also shared her perspective at the event, focusing on the need for regulatory clarity to encourage broader institutional participation in the digital asset space.
She explained that major institutions want to engage but require clearly defined rules that prioritize investor protection and establish stable frameworks.
According to Friedman, once such clarity is achieved, institutions can confidently enter the market knowing they are operating under secure and transparent guidelines.
Friedman added that significant progress is already underway within traditional finance. Many banks are experimenting with tokenized bonds, fixed income instruments, and the creation of stablecoins.
This growing involvement shows that institutions are not waiting for innovation to reach them; they are actively finding ways to participate in the digital asset ecosystem while awaiting full regulatory approval.
“But I think to get them really engaged in the market, there has to be regulatory clarity,” Friedman said.