Ripple just dropped its biggest power move yet announcing the $1.25 billion acquisition of prime brokerage firm Hidden Road. And the XRP Army? They’re louder than ever, backing the company’s aggressive expansion and celebrating what they see as a major win for Ripple and the broader crypto movement.
Founded in 2018, Hidden Road is no lightweight. It clears over $3 trillion annually for more than 300 institutional clients including heavyweight hedge funds across FX, digital assets, derivatives, and more. With Ripple stepping in, the firm is set to push even deeper into institutional finance, and XRP supporters are calling it a turning point.
For the XRP faithful, this acquisition isn’t just a business move it’s validation of their commitment to the community. Ripple has long promised to reshape financial infrastructure, and this deal signals that it’s delivering on that promise.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse revealed that Hidden Road had hit a wall due to balance sheet constraints, prompting it to seek outside backing. Ripple didn’t hesitate. “This is a big deal for Ripple — but also a big deal for the industry,” Garlinghouse told CNBC. “We need top-tier infrastructure to support financial institutions entering the crypto space.”
Ripple Effects in the XRP Community
The XRP community was quick to point out another major detail: Hidden Road will begin using Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, launched in December, as collateral for its prime brokerage services. For XRP holders, it’s another signal that Ripple’s ecosystem is expanding and gaining real-world traction.
Bank of America is ONLY using $XRP for all their transaction 💥💥🔥🔥
GIGA BULLISH $XRP🔥💥$XRP IS U.S.A MADE ✅pic.twitter.com/V28Qdpt9yF
— Bitcoin Hopium (@BitcoinHopium) April 8, 2025
And they’ve got wind in their sails. Ripple recently notched a major legal win after the U.S. SEC dropped its high-profile case accusing the company of conducting an illegal securities offering. It was a moment the XRP Army had been waiting years for and they see this new acquisition as Ripple going on offense.
Adding to the momentum? The re-election of Donald Trump, whose pro-crypto stance has sparked optimism across the industry. Garlinghouse acknowledged that the shifting regulatory landscape is making bold deals like this more feasible. “Deals like this make a lot more sense when you have a supportive regulatory environment,” he said, taking another jab at the SEC’s prior leadership.
As the crypto market regains strength, the XRP Army stands united behind Ripple’s vision. With the Hidden Road deal expected to close by Q3 2025, all eyes are on what’s next.
