XRP, Bitcoin and Ethereum as Institutional Collateral Is the Next Step Says Ripple Prime CEO

Ripple Prime CEO Mike Higgins says cryptocurrencies like XRP, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana could soon play a much larger role in institutional finance through cross-margining and collateral systems.

Speaking about the future of tokenized finance, Higgins explained that institutions may eventually use digital assets, stablecoins, and tokenized money market funds as collateral for settlement and margin requirements, rather than relying solely on dollars or U.S. Treasuries.

“Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Solana tokenizing anything of value as collateral for margin and settlement is the next step,” Higgins said.

XRP Utility Expands Beyond Payments

According to Higgins, the next phase of crypto adoption is not just about trading or payments but about using blockchain assets as high-grade collateral across financial markets.

He explained that cross-margining allows institutions to use assets efficiently across multiple products without first liquidating positions. This could improve capital efficiency while increasing the real-world utility of blockchain networks like the XRP Ledger.

Higgins also pointed out that major crypto assets are increasingly being treated similarly to products listed on regulated exchanges, especially as institutional infrastructure continues improving.

“We’re still early on in the space,” he said, while noting that trading opportunities across crypto spot markets, futures, ETFs, and perpetual swaps remain significant.

Ripple’s Hidden Road Acquisition Plays Key Role

Higgins linked this vision directly to Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road, which now operates as Ripple Prime.

The platform focuses heavily on cross-margining between crypto spot markets, ETFs, futures, and options markets.

According to Higgins, institutions are already building strategies involving spot Bitcoin, Bitcoin ETFs, and CME futures contracts. However, he believes stronger infrastructure is still needed to support smoother cross-market settlement and collateral management.

The comments highlight Ripple’s broader push into institutional finance as the company continues expanding beyond payments and deeper into tokenization, trading infrastructure, and digital asset settlement services.