- Ripple completed its $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road and launched Ripple Prime as the first crypto-owned global prime brokerage.
- RLUSD stablecoin will expand through Ripple Prime as institutions use it for collateral and account balances.
- The platform combines traditional brokerage services with blockchain technology for institutional digital asset trading
Ripple has finalized its $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road, rebranding the prime brokerage as Ripple Prime. The deal, first announced in April 2024, received regulatory approval and marks a significant expansion of the crypto firm’s institutional offerings.
The completion positions Ripple as the first cryptocurrency company to own and operate a global, multi-asset prime brokerage. The acquisition strengthens Ripple’s infrastructure across payments, custody services, and stablecoin operations.
Ripple Prime Integration and Services
Ripple Prime will leverage the company’s existing digital asset infrastructure to serve institutional clients. The platform combines traditional prime brokerage capabilities with blockchain technology to streamline operations and reduce costs.
The integration includes Ripple’s payment network, crypto custody solutions, and the XRP digital asset. These services will complement Ripple Prime’s offerings to institutional customers seeking exposure to digital assets.
Hidden Road brings established relationships with institutional investors and sophisticated trading capabilities. The rebranded platform maintains its core prime brokerage functions while adding Ripple’s blockchain expertise.
Ripple has pursued an aggressive expansion strategy in 2024. The company acquired treasury management platform GTreasury for $1 billion. It also purchased stablecoin infrastructure provider Rail in August.
RLUSD Stablecoin Benefits from Acquisition
The RLUSD stablecoin will gain expanded utility through Ripple Prime. The stablecoin already serves as collateral for certain prime brokerage products on the platform.
Derivative customers have begun holding account balances in RLUSD. Ripple expects this adoption to accelerate significantly in the coming months as more institutions utilize the prime brokerage services.
Bluechip recently awarded RLUSD an ‘A’ rating, ranking it as the top stablecoin in terms of stability, governance, and asset backing. The rating reflects the stablecoin’s regulatory compliance framework and institutional-grade infrastructure.
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation acts as the primary reserve custodian for RLUSD. This partnership provides institutional clients with confidence in the stablecoin’s backing and regulatory standing.
The combination of Ripple Prime and RLUSD creates a comprehensive ecosystem for institutional digital asset trading and settlement. Clients can access prime brokerage services while utilizing a compliant stablecoin for transactions and collateral.
TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington endorsed Ripple Prime’s capabilities. His hedge fund has adopted the platform, citing it as a valuable tool for institutional asset management.
We are finally onboarded with Hidden Road. It has a bunch of incredible tools for our business as a hedge fund. Ripple has made some incredible acquisitions, but Hidden Road may the best one so far. There are incredible synergies between the Hidden Road Business and Ripple's… https://t.co/sYTrKYbpED
— Michael Arrington 🏴☠️ (@arrington) October 24, 2025
Arrington characterized the Hidden Road acquisition as potentially Ripple’s most strategic purchase. The deal provides immediate access to established institutional relationships and proven infrastructure.
Ripple plans to integrate blockchain capabilities throughout Ripple Prime’s operations. The company aims to optimize costs and enhance operational efficiency by utilizing distributed ledger technology.
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