
- Rippleโs acquisitions signal a shift toward institutional dominance, positioning XRP as a key asset for banks and global financial systems. 
- Experts say XRPโs retail phase was temporary โ Rippleโs true goal is to make XRP a global settlement asset powering institutional finance. 
Rippleโs recent acquisitions and partnerships are revealing a larger strategy that appears to move far beyond the retail market. While many early investors viewed XRP as an digital asset for individuals, the companyโs ongoing moves hint its real focus is on institutions, banks, and global financial systems.
Building for Institutions, Not Retail
On the Paul Barron Podcast, the host discussed how Rippleโs acquisition of Hidden Road was a big signal. The deal allows financial giants such as BlackRock and other Wall Street players to gain access to improved prime brokerage services using Rippleโs infrastructure.
Ripple has also made strategic moves with GTreasury and Evernorth, both of which enhance its footprint in digital asset treasury management.ย
XRP as a Global Settlement Asset
According to Jesse from Apex Crypto Consulting, XRP was never intended for retail speculation in the first place. He described it as the digital successor to Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), a global reserve asset issued by the IMF.
This perspective could mean that XRP could eventually serve as a global stable asset, backed by institutional reserves or financial instruments, forming the foundation for a new โdigital Bretton Woodsโ system, a modern version of the global reserve framework established after World War II.
Documents from global organizations, including the World Bank, have already referenced XRP and Stellar (XLM) as potential stablecoins. While these assets are not currently pegged to any currency, such classification implies that they could be backed or stabilized by reserves in the future, aligning with Rippleโs long-term institutional focus.
Retail Role Was Only Temporary
The expert argues that retail investors were never the main target for Ripple โ they were simply part of the early phase to generate liquidity and kickstart market adoption.
Years ago, a Ripple executive mentioned that retail traders helped โget the ball rolling,โ but the company preferred less noise and volatility, focusing instead on enterprise-grade applications. Hence, the expert concluded that retail participation provided initial exchange liquidity, but the endgame has always been global financial integration.
Never Miss a Beat in the Crypto World!
Stay ahead with breaking news, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the latest trends in Bitcoin, altcoins, DeFi, NFTs, and more.
FAQs
Rippleโs strategy focuses on institutional and global finance use, not retail trading, aiming to power cross-border settlements for banks.
Rippleโs acquisition of Hidden Road expands access for major financial firms to use Rippleโs infrastructure for digital asset brokerage.
Not primarily. Retail users helped build liquidity, but Rippleโs long-term goal centers on institutional adoption and global financial systems.
Analysts and AI forecasts project XRP could reach $5.05 by the end of 2025, driven by ETF approvals, partnerships, and regulatory clarity.
Trust with CoinPedia:
CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
Investment Disclaimer:
All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.
Sponsored and Advertisements:
Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.
 
 











 
 