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Former Ripple director Matt Hamilton believes comparing $XRP to Chainlink misses the point, as the protocols housing both assets are inherently different.
His remarks came as discussions about why $XRP commands such a large lead in market value recently resurfaced.
Chainlink Spotlights Swift’s Blockchain Ambitions
For context, the discussions started after Swift announced yesterday that it would add a blockchain-based shared ledger to its infrastructure. According to Swift, it has already brought in more than 30 financial institutions to help design the system.
SWIFT partners with 30+ institutions to develop a blockchain ledger for real-time, 24/7 cross-border payments using tokenized value. pic.twitter.com/fO90DAzNSH
— TheCryptoBasic (@thecryptobasic) September 29, 2025
Interestingly, Chainlink welcomed the news, using the opportunity to point out its collaboration with Swift. The oracle provider said the move confirmed the real-world value of blockchains and oracle networks in upgrading financial infrastructure.
“Why is $XRP Much Larger Than Chainlink?”
Responding to this, former Coinroutes Chairman Dave Weisberger challenged the current market gap between $XRP and Chainlink.
Can someone from the $XRP army ( @xrpmickle ) explain how $XRP is more than TEN times $LINK's value, when $LINK has a REAL partnership with SWIFT, AND a clear path to revenue to be shared with Token holders… https://t.co/V1xnn3BgYN
— Dave W (@daveweisberger1) September 29, 2025
Specifically, he argued that Chainlink’s partnership with Swift and its plan to share revenue with token holders give $LINK a strong case for a higher valuation. Weisberger questioned why $XRP’s market cap stood at more than ten times $LINK’s, despite those factors.
For context, $XRP ranks as the fourth-largest crypto asset with a market cap of about $173.35 billion. Meanwhile, Chainlink sits in twelfth place with $14.6 billion. This shows $XRP’s valuation is nearly 12 times higher. For $LINK to surpass $XRP, its price would need to jump more than 1,000% to reach $255.
Ex Ripple Director Responds
Replying to Weisberger’s question, Hamilton suggested that the comparison is amiss. According to Hamilton, $XRP is the native asset of the $XRP Ledger, which serves as a full blockchain network. This justifies its larger valuation.
Trying to compare their value is sort of meaningless. Link is a protocol, the $XRP Ledger is an actual network. $XRP is the native asset of that entire network. Link is just the token used within the link protocol.
— Matt Hamilton (@HammerToe) September 29, 2025
Meanwhile, he explained that, by contrast, Chainlink is only a protocol where its token plays a limited role. For this reason, comparing the two valuations directly doesn’t make sense.
One $XRP supporter tried to simplify Hamilton’s point by saying $LINK functions like a platform such as LinkedIn, while $XRP acts more like a currency with its own operating system.
Weisberger countered that even LinkedIn generates profits and that shareholders benefit from those earnings. He said Chainlink, although less straightforward, has set up a way to share revenues with its token holders.
On the other hand, he said $XRP derives value from its scarcity and small transaction burn. He added that $XRP’s strength lies in its low cost of use, and if its price climbs too high, that affordability could weaken.
WrathofKahneman, a well-known figure in the $XRP community, disagreed. He said $XRP’s burn rate is so small it barely matters.
WOK argued that a higher $XRP price actually makes it more efficient as a settlement asset. He also pointed out that transaction fees remain adjustable and minimal, which keeps the network affordable even if the token’s value rises.