Ripple Set to Transform XRP Ledger with Wall Street-Backed Deal

The crypto market might seem quiet right now, but XRP is quietly making some of its boldest moves yet. Ripple’s latest step – a planned $1.25 billion acquisition of prime brokerage firm Hidden Road – could be a game-changer. This deal could reshape Ripple’s position in both traditional finance and the world of digital assets.

So what exactly is Ripple planning? We’ll help you understand it all!

Hidden Road Gets Regulatory Green Light

Hidden Road, the company Ripple plans to buy, just received approval from FINRA (the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) to operate as a U.S. broker-dealer. This approval means its U.S. division – Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC – can now legally offer services to institutional clients in the United States.

With this license, Hidden Road can expand into areas like clearing, financing, and prime brokerage, with a focus on fixed income assets. It’s a big step that opens the door to working with more major financial players.

Ripple Is Playing a Smart, Long Game

In an X post, Crypto analyst John Squire noted that this timing is no coincidence. He described it as a clear statement, suggesting Ripple is navigating regulations with precision. According to him, XRP is not just reacting to the market but making calculated regulatory moves like a chess master, not a casual player. His post is a hint that something big is coming up soon, as Ripple can officially expand in the US and bring new investors who feared earlier due to regulations. 

A $1.25 Billion Deal to Watch

The acquisition, valued at $1.25 billion, is still waiting on final regulatory approval but is expected to be completed in the coming months. Once the deal goes through, Hidden Road is likely to grow faster with Ripple’s backing—and take on bigger competitors in the prime brokerage space.

Noel Kimmel, President of Hidden Road, called the new license a major milestone. With Ripple’s support, he says the goal is to become one of the largest non-bank prime brokers in the financial industry.

Hidden Road is also planning to shift its post-trade operations onto the XRP Ledger. This could lead to faster trade settlements and lower costs for clients, making the entire trading process more efficient after deals are executed.

Ripple’s Bigger Vision

This move shows Ripple is aiming higher than just crypto payments. By acquiring a company that’s growing in traditional finance and running it on the XRP Ledger, Ripple is building a bridge between the crypto world and the broader financial system.

It’s a smart, forward-looking strategy that shows Ripple wants to be a key player in both spaces—not just one.

A New Chapter for XRP?

As the deal moves toward completion, many are watching closely to see what Ripple does next. It might not be making loud headlines just yet, but this is a strong, strategic step that could lead to big changes.

For XRP followers, this could be the start of something major—a moment where Ripple begins to reshape the future of finance, with one foot in crypto and the other on Wall Street.