Matt Damon to Headline Ripple Swell 2026 in New York

This year’s event represents a strategic shift for the company, as Ripple merges its institutional-focused Swell conference with the developer-centric XRPL Apex into a single, three-stage experience. Organizers project an audience of over 1,500 attendees and more than 75 speakers, with a program spanning 50 sessions on topics from tokenization and AI to quantum computing and stablecoin utility.

Damon’s appearance underscores the deepening collaboration between Ripple and Water.org. Since June, Ripple has served as the exclusive digital asset partner for the nonprofit’s "Get Blue" campaign, utilizing the RLUSD stablecoin to facilitate cross-border funding for microfinance partners. While his keynote subject remains unconfirmed, the connection points toward a discussion on the role of blockchain in transparent, efficient aid delivery. Joining Damon on the speaker roster are Bullish CEO Tom Farley, former Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan, and executives from Aviva, Susquehanna Crypto, and PEAK6.

Ripple has structured the event to bridge the gap between crypto-native innovation and institutional finance. Beyond the main stage, the program includes a specialized institutional summit and a developer hackathon. Standard registration for the event is priced at $1,200 until October 5, after which rates increase to $1,500 until the final closing date on October 20.