SoFi Lists XRP for Deposits and Holding, but No External Withdrawals Yet

SoFi has added XRP to its crypto offering, prompting Ripple to hail the move as a milestone. The response from the XRP community has been more mixed, largely because one key feature is still missing. Users of the nationally chartered bank can now deposit and hold XRP alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana. Ripple positioned the listing as progress toward broader participation, arguing that placing XRP inside a regulated banking app lowers barriers for everyday investors. The catch: XRP can't be withdrawn to external wallets. That limitation has shifted the discussion from increased adoption to whether the integration delivers meaningful utility. Holders vs. users Supporters argue that broader availability inside regulated platforms can build long-term utility and visibility. Critics counter that without the ability to move XRP off-platform, it can't be used for cross-border payments, DeFi activity or self-custody. For a token whose primary pitch is fast, low-cost settlement, the lack of portability is a significant constraint. One community member questioned how utility increases when XRP remains locked inside a SoFi account, contrasting it with SoFi's use of the Bitcoin Lightning Network. SoFi's support team replied publicly that crypto withdrawals are "coming soon," without providing a timeline. A longer rollout? Some observers see the limited release as strategic. Analyst Bill Morgan said Ripple may be playing a longer-term game, with fuller functionality potentially introduced after deposit volumes build. He also pointed to RLUSD, Ripple's stablecoin, as a possible next step if the relationship expands. Market context XRP is currently the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, at roughly $89B. SoFi's listing adds a retail banking distribution channel, but without withdrawal support, the near-term impact on real network usage appears limited. The episode underscores a long-running debate among XRP holders: price exposure versus actual utility. Tags: Crypto news; Ripple (XRP)