Ripple CEO: Completed $2.25 billion strategic acquisition, institutional adoption of XRP accelerating by 2026

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirms the completion of a $2.25 billion strategic acquisition in 2025, including a $1.25 billion purchase of Hidden Road, which will be renamed Ripple Prime. Ripple has obtained an electronic money license from the UK FCA, paving the way for the RLUSD stablecoin. Garlinghouse emphasizes that XRP will accelerate adoption through institutional infrastructure in 2026.

The Strategic Puzzle of the $2.25 Billion Acquisition

In 2025, Ripple completed two major market-shaking acquisitions totaling $2.25 billion. The first was a $1.25 billion purchase of Hidden Road, rebranded as Ripple Prime. The strategic intent behind this acquisition is very clear: to enhance Ripple’s brokerage capabilities and strengthen institutional trading, liquidity access, and execution. Originally, Hidden Road was a broker providing multi-asset trading services for institutions, with mature risk management systems and deep institutional client relationships.

Renaming it Ripple Prime indicates this is not just a financial investment but a strategic integration within Ripple’s brand ecosystem. Ripple Prime will serve as the primary gateway for institutional clients to access the XRP ecosystem, offering trading execution, settlement, and risk management services that meet Wall Street standards. This professional-grade infrastructure is a prerequisite for large-scale adoption of XRP by traditional financial institutions.

The second acquisition was a $1 billion investment in GTreasury. This platform focuses on corporate treasury management, enhancing companies’ ability to manage on-chain funds, liquidity, and cross-border payments. This acquisition reveals Ripple’s another strategic direction: not only serving financial institutions but also directly catering to corporate finance departments.

These acquisitions position Ripple as a provider of comprehensive digital asset infrastructure. XRP remains at the core of this ecosystem, supporting payments and value exchange across an expanding Ripple network. Evolving from a “simple token project” to an “end-to-end financial infrastructure provider,” this transformation underpins XRP’s long-term value.

UK License Opens a New Chapter in Global Expansion

Ripple has obtained an electronic money license from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and completed registration for crypto assets. This regulatory breakthrough is far more significant than its surface value. As one of the world’s most important financial centers, the UK’s regulatory approval has a powerful demonstration effect. The EU’s MiCA regulations, Hong Kong’s virtual asset service provider regime, and Singapore’s Payment Services Act all reference the UK’s regulatory framework.

This license will enable Ripple to legally provide payment services, issue stablecoins, and offer custody and settlement services to institutional clients in the UK and Europe. More importantly, it provides a legal foundation for Ripple’s ambitious RLUSD stablecoin project. As a dollar-pegged stablecoin, widespread adoption of RLUSD in the UK and Europe could become a vital supplement within the XRP ecosystem.

From a global layout perspective, the UK license is a key piece in Ripple’s regulatory map. Ripple has already gained varying degrees of regulatory recognition in markets like the US, Japan, and Singapore. Now, with the UK’s inclusion, it has compliant operations in major financial markets worldwide. This comprehensive regulatory compliance is a significant advantage for XRP in competing with other cryptocurrencies, as large financial institutions often prioritize regulatory clarity when choosing digital assets.

Ripple’s Three Major Milestones in 2025

$2.25 Billion Strategic Acquisitions: Ripple Prime and GTreasury complete institutional service ecosystem

UK FCA License Approved: Unlocks European market and paves the way for RLUSD stablecoin

Enhanced Regulatory Clarity: End of phased SEC lawsuit, formation of a global compliance framework

Regulatory clarity is crucial for enterprise adoption of XRP. The recognition of XRP by the UK demonstrates Ripple’s ability to operate globally. More importantly, this recognition can trigger a chain reaction: regulators in other countries, observing approvals in mature markets like the UK and Japan, are more likely to make similar decisions.

Infrastructure in Place for 2026 Adoption Acceleration

Garlinghouse’s messaging has shifted significantly. Ripple is now focused on infrastructure, compliance, and real-world applications, developing systems for institutions, governments, and enterprises, avoiding vague speculative narratives. This pragmatic approach contrasts sharply with early crypto hype culture. Ripple no longer emphasizes “disrupting traditional finance” but instead highlights “deep integration with traditional finance.”

As 2026 approaches, the underlying infrastructure built by Ripple could enable more applications. XRP’s advantage lies in its ability to integrate more deeply into traditional financial systems through Ripple’s infrastructure. Ripple Prime provides trading execution for institutions, GTreasury offers corporate treasury management, the UK license supports compliant stablecoin issuance—all forming a complete ecosystem.

From a timeline perspective, 2025 is about “laying the foundation,” while 2026 is about “harvesting.” Infrastructure takes time to prove its value; licenses take time to convert into actual clients; acquisitions need time to generate synergies. Garlinghouse’s reports imply that as these elements come together in 2026, XRP adoption will experience a qualitative leap.

Ripple’s strategy also reflects a deep understanding of crypto market cycles. Short-term price speculation may generate attention but cannot sustain long-term value. Only when XRP is genuinely used to solve real problems—cross-border payments, corporate treasury management, stablecoin settlement—will demand be sustainable. Garlinghouse repeatedly emphasizes “practical applications,” embodying this long-term mindset. Ripple believes that everything is in place, and 2026 will be the critical year to validate the years of effort.