Ripple has made a significant move in the financial technology landscape by spending nearly $3 billion on acquisitions since the beginning of 2023. CEO Brad Garlinghouse revealed this figure as part of the company’s strategy to bridge the gap between traditional financial systems and blockchain infrastructure. This aggressive acquisition approach highlights Ripple’s ambition to position itself at the crossroads of traditional finance (TradFi) and cryptocurrency, a sector that has garnered increasing attention from institutional investors over the past two years.
The acquisitions are not just financial strategies; they are designed to integrate established finance firms with innovative blockchain technology. Garlinghouse emphasized that these efforts are a crucial part of Ripple’s vision to become a foundational component of infrastructure for cross-border payments, tokenized assets, and institutional-grade cryptocurrency services.
Key to Ripple’s acquisition strategy has been a series of notable transactions targeting regulated financial markets. The company’s purchase of prime broker Hidden Road for $1.25 billion in April 2025 marked a significant milestone. With Hidden Road processing over $3 trillion in annual volume across various asset classes, this move provides Ripple with direct access to institutional trading flows, enhancing its capabilities in the marketplace.
Earlier acquisitions also play a critical role in this strategy. Ripple acquired Standard Custody & Trust Company in 2024, which strengthened its ability to offer regulated digital asset custody services. Additionally, the acquisition of Swiss-based digital asset custody and tokenization platform Metaco in 2023—valued at approximately $250 million—expanded the company’s service offerings. Collectively, these acquisitions establish a solid foundation covering custody, prime brokerage, and settlement services, which are essential for facilitating institutional crypto adoption.
This substantial investment comes at a time when the lines between traditional finance and cryptocurrency are becoming increasingly blurred. Large financial institutions are exploring areas like tokenized assets, on-chain settlement, and digital custody solutions. Ripple’s strategy to acquire rather than simply partner with established players positions it advantageously as these trends evolve.
Garlinghouse framed the acquisitions as efforts to create synergies between traditional finance and blockchain technology. By forming connections rather than competing directly with established financial players, Ripple aims to solidify its role as a crucial intermediary in this emerging ecosystem.
The recent resolution of Ripple’s ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has further empowered the company to act swiftly in deploying capital, as regulatory clarity begins to improve.
Looking ahead, the future of Ripple’s acquisition strategy remains a topic of interest. Observers are keen to see whether the company will maintain its current pace of acquisitions or transition to focusing on integrating its diverse portfolio. A key factor in this will be the company’s ability to harmonize its offerings in custody, brokerage, and payments to create a cohesive service for institutional clients. Additionally, industry watchers are curious about how Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin will fit into the larger strategy as the company seeks to broaden its product offerings beyond its XRP-based payment systems.
