XRP News Today: BlackRock-Ripple Merger Rumor Fueled by Hiring, No Official Confirmation

A viral claim circulating in cryptocurrency circles has alleged a merger between BlackRock and Ripple, sparking speculation about a potential alignment between the financial giant and the blockchain firm. The rumor originated from a social media post by a crypto analyst known as "Atlas," who cited "leaked documents" suggesting shared objectives and strategic compatibility between the two entities. However, neither BlackRock nor Ripple has issued an official statement confirming such a merger, partnership, or acquisition [1]. Coinpedia’s fact-check highlights that mainstream media and crypto outlets have not reported any verified deal, and no evidence of the cited "leaked documents" has been made public.

The speculation intensified after Ripple hired executives with backgrounds at BlackRock, raising questions about potential collaboration. Yet, industry experts emphasize that hiring senior personnel from competing firms does not equate to a merger. Additionally, Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, has not confirmed any formal partnership with BlackRock, though he has indicated that XRP could soon follow Bitcoin and Ethereum in qualifying for an exchange-traded fund (ETF) in the U.S. Analysts like Nate Geraci suggest BlackRock may consider filing for an XRP ETF now that legal barriers, particularly the ongoing lawsuit with the SEC, are being resolved. However, this remains speculative, as no official filing has occurred [1].

Separate conspiracy theories have linked BlackRock and Ripple through alleged overlaps in initiatives such as tokenized treasuries and cross-border payment systems. Proponents of these theories argue that Ripple’s XRP Ledger (XRPL) and BlackRock’s Aladdin system could complement each other in tokenization projects. However, legal experts, including former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel, have dismissed these claims as unfounded, noting that the XRP lawsuit predates any potential BlackRock involvement and lacks evidence of coordination between the firms [2]. The overlap in technological roadmaps—such as ISO 20022 standards for cross-border payments—has further fueled speculation, though neither company has acknowledged active collaboration.

Another point of contention centers on the $XDNA ETF and the DNA Protocol on XRPL. While BlackRock’s $XDNA ETF focuses on health and genomics, the DNA Protocol is a decentralized identity initiative on XRPL. Critics caution against conflating similar acronyms with substantive partnerships, as Ripple has neither confirmed nor denied any connection. This ambiguity has contributed to ongoing rumors, despite the absence of verifiable data.

As the XRP lawsuit approaches a potential resolution, the conspiracy theory continues to circulate, reflecting broader uncertainties in the crypto sector. While both firms share a vision for tokenized finance and blockchain innovation, their overlapping initiatives do not constitute a merger. Investors are urged to rely on official announcements rather than unverified social media speculation. The lack of direct communication between BlackRock and Ripple—along with the absence of credible evidence—underscores the speculative nature of the claims.

Sources:

[1] [Fact Check: Did BlackRock Announce a Merger With Ripple?](https://coinpedia.org/news/fact-check-did-blackrock-announce-a-merger-with-ripple/)

[2] [Ripple-BlackRock Conspiracy Theory Heats Up](https://coingape.com/ripple-blackrock-conspiracy-theory-heats-up-sec-lawyer-dismantles-xrp-lawsuit-ties/)

[3] [Is Ripple Powering BlackRock's $100 Trillion Blockchain Vision?](https://coinpedia.org/news/is-ripple-powering-blackrocks-100-trillion-blockchain-vision/)