Ripple has announced that it will buy the prime broking company Hidden Road for $1.25 billion. This is a big deal that could change the way crypto and traditional finance work together. The move shows how decentralized assets and traditional financial companies are becoming increasingly similar. Nic Puckrin, CEO of The Coin Bureau, says that this merger could make Ripple more than just a rival to big banks; it could make it a key part of the global financial system as it changes.
Ripple Adds Financial Infrastructure
Puckrin says that Ripple is not directly trying to fight with big banks like JPMorgan Chase. By buying Hidden Road, a company that handled more than $3 trillion in fund transfers in 2024, Ripple is taking control of a key layer: payment and liquidity. This means that Ripple is not a full-stack financial services company but an essential part of the environment that all such companies depend on.
The Strategic Use of XRP in M&A
A small deal will be handled in XRP tokens and Ripple stock, but most will be paid for with cash. This unusual way of getting money shows that Ripple is sure that XRP is a “strategic treasury asset.” Puckrin says, “Smaller projects may find it hard to make deals like this,” but “for Ripple, it sends a message of trust and stability in the future of XRP.”
Blockchain will transform settlements
With Hidden Road now part of Ripple, blockchain technology can make payments faster. This deal could change the game because traditional banks haven’t fully adopted this kind of technology yet.
The Future of Hybrid Finance
With the new U.S. government in charge, regulations are more likely to be friendly, which makes it easy for crypto companies to take the lead. Puckrin thinks we see the rise of a “Tale of Two Cryptos”—one focused on retail and decentralized, and the other institutional and compliance-driven.
Conclusion
The billion-dollar deal that Ripple made to buy Hidden Road is more than just a deal; it’s a turning point for the industry. As trust in institutions grows and rules become clearer, crypto firms are no longer seen as outliers who can change the world.
