This summary text is fully AI-generated and may therefore contain errors or be incomplete.
Introduction
Ripple has completed five strategic acquisitions since 2023, transforming into a comprehensive financial infrastructure provider. The company’s aggressive expansion comes amid favorable regulatory shifts following the 2024 US presidential election and the resolution of its four-year SEC lawsuit. These moves position Ripple as the first crypto company to own and operate a global multi-asset prime broker, though questions remain about the direct impact on XRP’s price and utility.
Key Points
- Ripple became the first crypto company to own a global multi-asset prime broker through its Hidden Road acquisition
- The $1 billion GTreasury purchase represents Ripple's largest acquisition and strengthens corporate finance capabilities
- Despite corporate expansion, XRP's price has declined approximately 30% from its July peak, raising community questions about token utility
The Acquisition Spree: Building an Internet of Value
Ripple’s acquisition journey began in May 2023 with the $250 million purchase of Metaco, a Swiss-based crypto custody provider. This strategic move enhanced Ripple’s enterprise offerings, providing customers with technology to custody, issue, and settle tokenized assets. Less than a year later, Ripple President Monica Long outlined the acquisition of Standard Custody & Trust Company, adding an enterprise-grade regulated platform for cryptocurrencies to Ripple’s growing portfolio.
The pace accelerated dramatically in 2025 with three major deals. Ripple acquired Rail, a platform helping businesses move money with speed and transparency using stablecoins and fiat, for $200 million. The company then made its largest purchase to date – treasury software provider GTreasury for $1 billion – signaling ambitions to create a billion-dollar treasury company and strengthen corporate finance relationships. The final piece came with the acquisition of prime broker Hidden Road, now rebranded as Ripple Prime, making Ripple the first crypto company to own and operate a global, multi-asset prime broker.
Regulatory Winds Shift Under New Administration
The timing of Ripple’s expansion coincides with significant regulatory changes following the 2024 US presidential election. Donald Trump’s victory and subsequent return to office in early 2025 brought a pro-crypto stance that contrasted sharply with the previous administration’s approach. Trump’s campaign promises included firing SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who had led the regulatory war against the crypto industry and Ripple in particular.
This political shift created a more favorable environment for Ripple, culminating in the positive conclusion of its four-year legal battle with the SEC. The resolution removed a major cloud over the company’s operations and provided the regulatory clarity needed to pursue aggressive expansion. Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO, acknowledged these developments in his social media posts, highlighting how the changing tides at the SEC enabled the company’s strategic moves.
XRP Community Questions Token's Role in New Ecosystem
While the XRP Army celebrated Ripple’s acquisition spree and the SEC lawsuit resolution, some community members have raised questions about the direct benefits to XRP. Despite the corporate expansion, XRP’s price peaked in July 2025 and has since declined by approximately 30%, creating uncertainty about the token’s role in Ripple’s evolving infrastructure.
The introduction of Ripple’s dollar-pegged stablecoin RLUSD at the end of 2024 further complicated the picture. CryptoSensei directly questioned Garlinghouse about XRP’s role in the clearing and settlement process, specifically asking whether RLUSD would operate on the XRP Ledger. Community discussions have centered on whether XRP serves primarily as a liquidity pool, with some users suggesting that higher USD valuation would make transactions easier by requiring less XRP for settlements.
The ongoing debate highlights the tension between Ripple’s corporate expansion and the expectations of XRP holders. While Ripple continues to build solutions toward enabling an ‘Internet of Value,’ the specific mechanisms through which XRP benefits from these acquisitions remain a topic of active discussion within the crypto community.
📎 Read the original article on cryptopotato.com