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Ripple Prime Brokerage Launches After Historic $1.25B Acquisition

outubro 24, 2025 6:01 PM

First Crypto Company to Own Global Multi-Asset Prime Broker, Bringing Institutional-Grade Digital Asset Services to Scale

Ripple has officially completed its acquisition of Hidden Road, a rapidly growing prime brokerage, in a landmark $1.25 billion deal. The move rebrands the acquired entity as Ripple Prime and establishes Ripple as the first cryptocurrency company to own and operate a global, multi-asset prime brokerage. This strategic step into institutional finance is set to redefine the digital asset landscape, offering a comprehensive Ripple Prime Brokerage solution for institutional clients worldwide.

First Crypto Company to Own Global Prime Brokerage

In a move that signals a major convergence between the crypto industry and traditional finance, Ripple has finalized its acquisition of Hidden Road, now rebranded as Ripple Prime Brokerage. This historic transaction makes Ripple the first and only crypto-native company to own and operate a global, multi-asset prime broker. The acquisition underscores Ripple’s commitment to bridging the gap between digital assets and institutional finance, providing a robust platform for institutions to engage with the crypto market at scale. The new Ripple Prime Brokerage is poised to leverage Ripple’s extensive digital asset infrastructure, including its payment protocols, crypto custody solutions, and the RLUSD stablecoin, to deliver a seamless and comprehensive service offering.

What Ripple Prime Brokerage Means for Institutional Investors

The launch of Ripple Prime Brokerage is a game-changer for institutional investors. It provides a single, unified platform for clearing, financing, and execution across a wide range of assets, including digital assets, FX, and derivatives. This integrated approach eliminates the complexities and operational hurdles that have traditionally fragmented institutional access to the crypto market. With the Ripple Prime Brokerage, clients can benefit from a conflict-free model built on a modern technology stack, designed to reduce costs and enhance efficiency. The platform’s ability to offer cross-margining across all major digital asset product types-including spot, swaps, options, and cleared derivatives-is a key differentiator, providing significant capital efficiencies for clients.

The Strategic Value Behind the Hidden Road Acquisition

The acquisition of Hidden Road was a calculated move in Ripple’s broader strategy to expand its institutional footprint. Hidden Road had already established itself as one of the fastest-growing non-bank prime brokers, with a strong reputation for its advanced technology and risk management capabilities. Since the initial acquisition announcement, the business, now under the Ripple Prime Brokerage umbrella, has seen its volume grow by an impressive 3X. This rapid growth is a testament to the strong synergies between the two companies and the immense market demand for institutional-grade digital asset services. The Ripple Prime Brokerage will continue to build on this momentum, leveraging Ripple’s significant balance sheet and global reach to further expand its services and client base.

RLUSD Integration: Stablecoin as Prime Brokerage Collateral

A key component of the new Ripple Prime Brokerage is the integration of Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD. The stablecoin is already being used as collateral for a number of prime brokerage products, and its adoption is expected to grow substantially in the coming months. RLUSD’s robust regulatory compliance and ‘A’ rating for stability from Bluechip have made it a trusted asset for institutions, providing the necessary assurance for its integration into their financial operations. The use of RLUSD within the Ripple Prime Brokerage ecosystem not only enhances the utility of the stablecoin but also provides clients with a stable and reliable asset for collateralization and settlement.

Ripple Prime Brokerage Product Suite and Capabilities

The Ripple Prime Brokerage offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to meet the diverse needs of institutional clients. This includes support for OTC options and digital asset swaps for the U.S. market, products that were previously largely unavailable to U.S. institutions. The platform’s partnership with leading digital asset firms like QCP, BlockTech, and ABEX further enhances its capabilities, providing clients with access to deep liquidity and advanced algorithmic execution strategies. This comprehensive product offering, combined with the platform’s advanced technology and robust risk management framework, positions the Ripple Prime Brokerage as a leader in the institutional digital asset space.

Market Impact and Future Growth Projections

The launch of Ripple Prime Brokerage is a significant milestone in the evolution of the digital asset market. It represents a major step forward in the institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies, providing a trusted and reliable on-ramp for large financial institutions. The acquisition is one of five major deals by Ripple in the past two years, highlighting the company’s aggressive expansion strategy. With the backing of Ripple’s global infrastructure and the leadership of both Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and former Hidden Road CEO Marc Asch, the Ripple Prime Brokerage is well-positioned for continued growth and success. The platform is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of institutional finance, bringing the promise of digital assets to a global audience.