Ripple Becomes a Full-Stack Fintech Powerhouse with Hidden Road Acquisition

Ethan Cole
Ethan Cole I’m Ethan Cole, a digital journalist based in New York. I write about how technology shapes culture and everyday life — from AI and machine learning to cloud services, cybersecurity, hardware, mobile apps, software, and Web3. I’ve been working in tech media for over 7 years, covering everything from big industry news to indie app launches. I enjoy making complex topics easy to understand and showing how new tools actually matter in the real world. Outside of work, I’m a big fan of gaming, coffee, and sci-fi books. You’ll often find me testing a new mobile app, playing the latest indie game, or exploring AI tools for creativity.
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Ripple Becomes a Full-Stack Fintech Powerhouse with Hidden Road Acquisition

Ripple has completed its acquisition of non-bank prime broker Hidden Road. The company rebranded the firm as Ripple Prime, positioning it as a one-stop fintech platform for institutional clients.

The $1.25 billion deal is one of Ripple’s largest to date. It shows that the firm is expanding beyond crypto payments toward a wider role in global finance.


From Crypto Payments to Multi-Asset Brokerage

With this move, Ripple becomes the first crypto-native company to own and operate a multi-asset prime broker. The new entity, Ripple Prime, now offers services across digital assets, derivatives, swaps, FX, and fixed-income products.

According to Ripple, business activity at Ripple Prime has already tripled since the announcement in April 2025. Demand from institutional clients continues to rise.

Meanwhile, this growth reflects a larger trend — traditional finance merging with blockchain infrastructure. More firms are integrating decentralized technology into standard banking operations.


Expanding RLUSD and XRP Utility

Ripple says the integration will “significantly enhance the utility and reach” of its Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin. The product already plays a key role in on-chain liquidity and settlements.

As a result, RLUSD will now benefit from Ripple Prime’s clearing and financing network. Institutions gain access to multi-asset liquidity and faster settlement options.

In addition, Ripple plans to embed blockchain automation into Ripple Prime. This will streamline post-trade processes and cut operational costs.

Therefore, the company expects the platform to complement its wider ecosystem, which includes crypto custody, payments, and XRP-based settlement tools.


Institutional Fintech on Blockchain Rails

By combining Hidden Road’s market expertise with Ripple’s digital infrastructure, the firm positions itself as a bridge between legacy finance and tokenized markets.

Furthermore, the deal strengthens Ripple’s standing as one of the few blockchain companies offering institutional-grade clearing and financing.

Future updates to Ripple Prime may include on-chain collateral management, automated clearing, and API integrations that expand global liquidity access.

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