XRP News Today: Ripple Bridges Traditional and Crypto Markets with Unified Institutional Brokerage

Ripple, the financial technology company known for its blockchain solutions, has expanded its services in the U.S. market by launching a Digital Asset Spot Prime Brokerage. This move enables U.S.-based institutional clients to execute over-the-counter (OTC) spot transactions across major digital assets, including XRP and RLUSD, its stablecoin, according to a Morningstar report. The service, part of Ripple Prime—a rebranded division following the acquisition of Hidden Road—combines foreign exchange, derivatives, and digital asset capabilities under a single platform, as noted in a ValueTheMarkets report.

The integration of XRP and RLUSD into the brokerage's framework aims to enhance liquidity for digital asset transactions while bridging traditional finance and crypto markets, as detailed in a CryptoBriefing article. Michael Higgins, International CEO of Ripple Prime, emphasized that the new offering complements existing OTC and cleared derivatives services, providing institutions with a comprehensive suite to meet their trading strategies. Clients can now cross-margin OTC spot transactions with other digital asset holdings, including swaps and CME futures, streamlining portfolio management.

Ripple's acquisition of Hidden Road in October 2025 marked a pivotal step in its evolution from a payments-focused firm to a multi-asset financial infrastructure provider, according to a ZyCrypto analysis. The rebranded Ripple Prime now offers clearing, financing, and trading services across foreign exchange, derivatives, fixed income, and digital assets. This acquisition has also facilitated RLUSD's role as collateral for derivatives products, signaling growing institutional confidence in the stablecoin.

The launch underscores Ripple's strategic push to dominate institutional-grade digital asset services. By leveraging its XRP Ledger and RLUSD, Ripple aims to position itself as a central player in global liquidity and settlement systems. A WebProNews report noted that the stablecoin's market cap surpassed $898 million. RLUSD's dual-chain approach enhances interoperability, allowing institutions to access real-time cross-border payments and DeFi ecosystems.

Market analysts note that Ripple's expansion aligns with broader trends in institutional adoption of crypto. However, the company faces competition from stablecoins like USDT and USDC, though its focus on compliance and integration with RippleNet gives it an edge in cross-border niches. Meanwhile, some investors have shifted focus from XRP to emerging altcoins like Bittensor (TAO) and Remittix (RTX), reflecting a broader search for high-growth tokens with real-world utility, according to a LiveBitcoinNews piece.

Ripple's Q4 momentum includes plans to unlock 1 billion XRP from escrow on November 1, part of its routine liquidity management strategy. While analysts expect minimal price impact, the move highlights the company's ongoing efforts to balance token supply and institutional demand.