TL;DR:
- Ripple finalizes a $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road, rebranding it as Ripple Prime.
- Ripple Prime strengthens the company’s institutional crypto and brokerage offerings.
- Analysts see the move as a catalyst for greater blockchain adoption in traditional finance.
Ripple has completed its long-anticipated acquisition of Hidden Road, officially rebranding it as Ripple Prime, a move that marks a new phase in the company’s evolution toward institutional crypto finance. The acquisition, valued at $1.25 billion, aims to establish Ripple as a global leader in multi-asset prime brokerage and further strengthen its footprint in digital finance.
Ripple Prime Expands Ripple’s Institutional Reach
Ripple’s $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road establishes a powerful bridge between traditional finance and blockchain innovation. Hidden Road, which processes over $3 trillion in annual transactions, brings deep market expertise to Ripple’s ecosystem. The newly branded Ripple Prime will leverage this infrastructure to offer advanced brokerage, settlement, and liquidity solutions to institutional clients.
Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO, highlighted the market’s maturity and the end of restrictive regulation as key catalysts for expansion. He described the acquisition as an “inflection point” for digital asset adoption in the U.S., emphasizing that Ripple now operates in a more open and receptive environment. Garlinghouse stated that Ripple intends to accelerate innovation by integrating XRP’s utility into broader financial frameworks, enhancing both liquidity and compliance.
Leadership from Hidden Road, now Ripple Prime, emphasized the opportunity to connect institutional clients to new markets through secure and scalable solutions. The transition aims to reinforce client trust while merging traditional finance expertise with blockchain agility. Ripple’s expanded platform now offers a suite of services designed to meet the evolving demands of global institutions exploring digital assets.
Ripple Prime’s creation could reshape the landscape of institutional crypto adoption. XRP, currently trading at $2.48 with a $148.75 billion market cap, has shown resilience despite a recent 14.4% decline over 30 days. Analysts suggest the acquisition could drive greater institutional participation in digital finance, potentially positioning Ripple as a central player in the integration of blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
