Ripple Launches US Digital Asset Prime Brokerage Service

Ripple’s financial technology division has reaffirmed its presence in the United States with the launch of digital asset spot prime brokerage services specifically designed for the local market. This strategic move enables US-based institutional clients to execute OTC spot transactions across dozens of the largest digital assets, including Ripple’s own XRP and the RLUSD stablecoin. The launch represents a significant milestone in Ripple’s evolution from its original focus on retail remittances and enterprise payments toward capturing opportunities in institutional treasury flows and liquidity management.

Michael Higgins, International CEO of Ripple Prime, emphasized the strategic importance of this development, stating: “The launch of OTC spot execution capabilities complements our existing suite of OTC and cleared derivatives services in digital assets and positions us to provide U.S. institutions with a comprehensive offering to suit their trading strategies and needs.” This comprehensive approach allows institutional traders to access multiple asset classes through a single platform, addressing the growing demand for sophisticated digital asset trading solutions among traditional financial institutions.

The foundation for this expansion was laid with Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road, initially announced in April and officially finalized in October. The $1.25 billion deal represented one of the most significant moves in the digital asset infrastructure space this year, drawing praise from the XRP Army community for its potential impact on the underlying asset. Following the acquisition completion, the platform was renamed to Ripple Prime, creating a unified brand identity for the combined entity.

The integration process involved combining Ripple’s existing licenses with Hidden Road’s established solution under the new platform architecture. This strategic combination now provides institutions with seamless access to multiple asset classes including foreign exchange (FX), digital assets, derivatives, swaps, and fixed income through a single interface. The consolidation creates operational efficiencies while offering clients a more comprehensive suite of financial products, positioning Ripple Prime as a formidable competitor in the institutional digital asset services landscape.

A particularly significant aspect of the new platform involves the integration of the XRP Ledger for post-trade settlement on specific transactions. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed this technical implementation, which represents a tangible use case for XRP within institutional financial infrastructure. This development was characterized by popular XRP advocate WrathofKahneman as potentially being a “game-changer” for the underlying asset, its utility, and overall price movements.

The timing of this announcement comes as XRP experiences notable market volatility, with the cross-border token settling at just over $2.40 following a 4% daily decline and an 8% correction since the previous Monday. Market analysts are closely watching the asset’s price action, debating between a potential nosedive to $2.00 or an upcoming breakout. The institutional adoption represented by Ripple Prime’s new services could provide fundamental support for XRP’s valuation, though market participants remain divided on the immediate price impact.

The broader implications extend beyond price speculation, as the successful implementation of XRP Ledger for settlement in institutional transactions validates Ripple’s long-term strategy of building utility-driven use cases for its native digital asset. As reported by CryptoPotato, this evolution from Ripple’s primary mission of retail remittances toward institutional treasury flows represents a strategic pivot that could significantly enhance XRP’s position in the competitive digital asset landscape.