**Western Union Selects Solana for Upcoming Stablecoin and Digital Asset Network**
Western Union has officially chosen Solana to power its upcoming stablecoin and blockchain network. The payment giant plans to launch the USDPT stablecoin and Digital Asset Network by the first half of 2026. Anchorage Digital Bank will issue the USDPT stablecoin under a regulated framework, managing its backend infrastructure.
### Transition from XRP to Solana
Western Union previously ran multiple pilot tests with XRP technology but never integrated it into its operations. The company’s CEO, Devin McGranahan, stated that Solana met their needs for speed, reliability, and compliance—criteria that led them to select Solana over XRP for their new stablecoin and blockchain project.
Western Union confirmed it had tested XRP technology extensively over nearly a decade. Despite several XRP pilot programs and ongoing evaluations—including a 2018 confirmation from then-CEO Hikmet Ersek that XRP experiments were underway—the firm ultimately chose not to adopt Ripple’s blockchain.
### XRP Community Reacts to Western Union’s Decision
The announcement triggered strong reactions from the XRP community across social media platforms. Many XRP holders expressed frustration and disappointment over Western Union’s decision to go with Solana instead. Crypto analyst CryptosRus commented, “Western Union tested XRP for a decade but picked Solana.”
Other influencers were even more critical, with Lucas Dimos posting, “It’s embarrassing to hold XRP in 2025,” while Abraham Linkoln remarked, “XRP investors in absolute shambles.” These sentiments highlight growing skepticism regarding XRP’s real-world utility and its future in mainstream finance.
### Solana Gains Institutional Endorsement
Western Union cited Solana’s speed, cost-efficiency, and compliance capabilities as decisive factors in their choice. CEO Devin McGranahan emphasized the company’s need for a blockchain that offers both reliability and scalability.
The upcoming USDPT stablecoin will be powered by Solana’s ecosystem, supporting transactions across multiple use cases. Western Union’s Digital Asset Network will facilitate real-world cash conversions, including cash off-ramps across the company’s global partner locations. The firm plans to process approximately $100 billion annually through the Solana blockchain, positioning Solana as a key player in regulated digital finance.
Despite Solana’s performance challenges in 2022, this decision marks one of the most significant institutional endorsements for the blockchain platform to date.
### Ripple’s Position Amidst Challenges
While Ripple continues to maintain partnerships with SBI Holdings and Santander, and XRP remains a core token in Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity services, recent setbacks—such as the failed integration with Western Union and challenges with SWIFT—have impacted market confidence.
The XRP community, though still active, faces mounting competition from blockchain platforms like Solana and Chainlink, which continue to attract institutional attention worldwide. Ripple has yet to comment on Western Union’s recent decision.
### Looking Ahead
Western Union is in the final stages of finalizing compliance and technical standards for the USDPT stablecoin and expects to begin its rollout by mid-2026.
As Western Union accelerates its move into digital assets with Solana, XRP holders and supporters await new developments amid a shifting landscape where competing platforms are gaining ground.
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*Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving world of blockchain and digital finance.*
https://coincentral.com/xrp-left-behind-western-union-picks-solana-after-10-year-trial/