As the adoption of ISO 20022 across financial messaging grows, questions continue to emerge regarding how various digital assets might integrate with legacy payment networks.
Crypto researcher SMQKE recently pointed to XRP as a digital asset positioned to gain from broader integration of the standard, while raising concerns that Bitcoin could encounter obstacles regarding one of its frequently cited payment use cases.
In a shared excerpt focusing on ISO 20022, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and standardized financial messaging, SMQKE summarized the implications by stating, “ISO 20022 MAY CUT THE KNEES OFF BITCOIN WHILE BENEFITTING XRP”
SMQKE Highlights XRP’s Potential Role
The excerpt posted by SMQKE on X explores how ISO 20022 can facilitate interoperability among different CBDCs by establishing a unified language for payment orders and requests, thereby enabling diverse digital currencies to function together more smoothly within global financial architecture.
Furthermore, the document indicates that individuals and enterprises could eventually transact using whichever digital currency meets their requirements, bypassing technical barriers that currently divide different payment networks.
Directing attention to a specific passage, SMQKE highlighted a mention of XRP. The text notes that XRP could see advantages from ISO 20022 adoption, characterizing it as a digital currency capable of functioning alongside CBDCs inside centralized payment ecosystems.
ISO 20022 MAY CUT THE KNEES OFF BITCOIN WHILE BENEFITTING XRP
“However, one crypto that could benefit is XRP, the currency used on the blockchain-based payment system Ripple.
This is one cryptocurrency that will be compliant with the ISO 20022 standard allowing it to… https://t.co/zbRkoPL4oM pic.twitter.com/WIAHY61eo5
— SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) September 28, 2026
Bitcoin Faces a Different Question
The cited text also considers the broader impact of ISO 20022 on the positioning of cryptocurrencies within the financial sector. It proposes that enhanced interoperability between CBDCs might diminish the necessity of using cryptocurrencies as standalone alternatives to centralized payment architectures.
According to the document, standardized messaging could empower various digital currencies to function more easily within traditional financial frameworks, which could undermine a primary use-case argument for assets like Bitcoin.
Relating this back to Bitcoin, SMQKE suggested that ISO 20022 might “cut the knees off Bitcoin,” while positioning XRP as an asset well-suited to benefit from tighter integration between digital assets, CBDCs, and traditional payment rails.
Nevertheless, this perspective did not receive universal agreement.
We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1
— TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025
Macro Bombastic Responds to SMQKE
CoinMarketCap product marketer Macro Bombastic offered a contrasting view on Bitcoin’s connection to ISO 20022 by replying directly to SMQKE’s remarks.
“tbh btc doesn’t need iso approval to keep doing its thing,” Macro Bombastic wrote.
The reply emphasizes that Bitcoin’s operations do not rely on ISO 20022 validation. While ISO 20022 offers a standardized format for financial messaging, Bitcoin operates independently on its own decentralized network.
Ultimately, SMQKE’s analysis centers on how traditional financial institutions might leverage standardized messaging alongside digital assets and CBDCs, situating XRP within that potential framework while questioning the degree to which ISO 20022 adoption could impact Bitcoin’s standing in payment markets.