Ripple Prime is strengthening its lead in institutional digital asset services as financial markets move toward what company leaders describe as “Wall Street 2.0.” The firm, a subsidiary of Ripple Labs, aims to advance the adoption of blockchain solutions for institutional finance amid persistent market volatility.
Institutional growth despite crypto winter
Despite ongoing weakness in the broader cryptocurrency market, Ripple Prime is witnessing accelerating institutional demand for blockchain infrastructure. Michael Higgins, international chief executive of Ripple Prime, highlighted this dynamic in a recent interview.
Higgins said, “The current crypto winter is not a digital asset winter. Markets are moving toward 24/7 access and need always-on, blockchain-powered infrastructure to make this happen. That’s Wall Street 2.0, and Ripple Prime is leading the way.”
Markets, according to Michael Higgins, increasingly require continuous access and blockchain-powered infrastructure, marking a shift from traditional banking models to a new, 24/7 global financial system.
This shift supports growing institutional interest in multi-asset clearing and financing that includes foreign exchange (FX), digital assets, derivatives, swaps, and fixed income.
Key acquisitions and funding
Ripple Prime’s growth accelerated after Ripple Labs completed its $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road in October 2025. The acquisition provided Ripple Prime with wider access to Ripple’s substantial financial resources.
Ripple Prime also recently raised $200 million through a debt facility from Neuberger Specialty Finance, a lender focusing on tailored financial solutions for institutional borrowers. This facility expands Ripple Prime’s margin financing capacity, helping the company extend additional liquidity to its institutional clients at the intersection of traditional finance and digital asset markets.
The boost in capital has resulted in a year-over-year tripling of Ripple Prime’s revenues—an advance fueled by strong institutional demand.
| Development | Details |
|---|---|
| Acquisition | Ripple acquires Hidden Road for $1.25 billion (Oct 2025) |
| Debt facility | $200 million from Neuberger Specialty Finance |
| Revenue growth | Tripled year-over-year |
Blockchain replacing legacy rails
A key driver behind Ripple Prime’s expansion has been the transition from traditional banking infrastructure to blockchain-based payment systems. In conventional prime brokerage, institutions can only post collateral during typical banking hours, forcing them to maintain higher capital buffers over weekends and holidays.
Ripple Prime removes these limitations by providing 24/7 collateral management through RLUSD, a stablecoin backed by the U.S. dollar and governed by strict regulatory oversight.
Mini dictionary: RLUSD, Ripple’s regulated stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar, is designed to enable real-time settlement and continuous collateral management across traditional and digital asset markets.
Competition and technology advantage
While major Wall Street banks are anticipated to enter the digital prime brokerage market when regulatory clarity improves, Higgins asserts that established financial players will need to address significant technology hurdles. He emphasized that leadership in market making for U.S. equities and foreign exchange has already shifted from banks to non-bank institutions.
Higgins noted that the largest market makers in U.S. equities and foreign exchange are no longer banks, reflecting a transformation in market structure and competitive dynamics.
Ripple Prime’s unified technology platform allows the company to streamline its onboarding process regardless of whether a client represents a digital asset marketplace, an FX liquidity provider, or a traditional equities exchange. This flexibility positions Ripple Prime to respond more rapidly than legacy financial service providers.
