THE QUESTION XRP HOLDERS SHOULD BE ASKING Ripple created a payment ecosystem in which XRP was designed to serve as a bridge asset. Now Ripple has introduced RLUSD, a dollar-backed asset that can perform many dollar-to-dollar payment functions without requiring XRP as the bridge. Why does this matter? Because RLUSD creates an opportunity for Ripple to earn recurring income from reserve assets, while XRP holders do not receive that income. XRP can still be used. XRP still powers the XRP Ledger. XRP can still provide bridge liquidity. But those facts do not mean RLUSD adoption creates meaningful demand for XRP. A successful Ripple business does not automatically mean a successful XRP investment. That is the distinction investors need to understand.