Ripple Executive Compares Crypto Payments to Early E-Commerce, Cites Growth From 0.2% to 20%

On June 24, Ripple executive Reece Merrick drew a direct comparison between crypto payments today and the early stages of online retail, positioning digital asset payments within a longer adoption cycle. In a post on X, Merrick referenced e-commerce in 2000, when online shopping represented roughly 0.2% of global retail sales amid widespread consumer skepticism. He noted that online retail has since grown to account for approximately one-fifth of global spending, driven by infrastructure maturity and user confidence.

Merrick, who oversees Ripple's Middle East and Africa operations, suggested crypto payments are following a similar trajectory. XRP remains central to Ripple's payments strategy as a bridge asset, alongside the company's RLUSD stablecoin. According to Merrick, merchant-facing infrastructure including payment gateways and stablecoin settlement layers continue to reduce barriers around settlement, compliance, and integration with traditional systems.