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Ripple 
$2 has embarked on a series of significant moves in the cryptocurrency market following the settlement of its prolonged dispute with the SEC. The company’s strategic shift towards aggressive growth and technological investment has drawn considerable attention. One of the most notable developments was the acquisition of financial services provider Hidden Road for $1.25 billion. Further, rumors of Ripple’s billion-dollar offer for Circle Group echoed widely across the market.
Circle’s Offer and Institutional Investment Initiative
According to Bloomberg, Ripple extended an acquisition offer between $4 and $5 billion to Circle, a prominent US-based fintech company. However, reports suggest that the offer was declined. Circle stated that due to an ongoing “quiet period” with the SEC, a public assessment would not be provided. Moreover, the company emphasized that there were no changes in its long-term objectives. This development highlights Ripple’s aggressive expansion plans on a global scale, not just locally.
Ripple’s strategic maneuver is viewed as an attempt to not only penetrate new markets but also intensify competition in the stablecoin market. While Circle’s USDC remains a leading stable digital asset, Ripple’s RLUSD, launched late last year, is yet to achieve similar impact. RLUSD debuted with a market capitalization of $317 million but has remained overshadowed by giants like USDC and USDT. A potential merger with Circle could have shifted this balance significantly.
Technological Updates and Ripple’s New Vision
Ripple continues to strengthen its role in the sector not only through institutional strategies but also by upgrading its technological infrastructure. After the release of RLUSD in December 2024, an Ethereum 
$2,494-compatible EVM side chain was established. This integration enables the XRP Ledger to be compatible with popular digital wallets like MetaMask, offering XRP users easier access to Ethereum-based applications. This technical upgrade is seen as part of Ripple’s goal to enhance its presence in decentralized finance.
The $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road has cemented Ripple’s financial standing in the industry. CTO David Schwartz described this as a “defining moment,” while Ripple UK and Europe’s Cassie Craddock highlighted the acquisition’s importance for the XRP Ledger ecosystem. By integrating Hidden Road, Ripple aims to build a stronger bridge between traditional financial institutions and cryptocurrency systems.
XRP Ledger continues to be preferred, particularly in international payment systems, due to its low transaction costs and energy efficiency. Ripple’s technological vision not only expands XRP’s usage but also accelerates digitization in inter-institutional payment systems. These advancements hold the potential to transform Ripple from merely a cryptocurrency issuer into a global financial technology leader.
