Ripple Wraps Q1 With SEC Win, $1.25B Deal, and Institutional XRP Momentum

- Hidden Road acquisition for $1.25 billion, expansion of XRP and RLUSD adoption - Victory in SEC lawsuit clarifies the legal status of XRP [Unblock Media] Ripple has completed its acquisition of the global prime broker Hidden Road for $1.25 billion and won a long-standing lawsuit against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), setting the stage for a strong return of institutional investors. Additionally, policy shifts are occurring under the pro-cryptocurrency Trump administration. Ripple's acquisition of Hidden Road plays a crucial role not only in expanding the prime brokerage business but also in increasing the adoption of XRPL (Ripple Ledger) and RLUSD (Ripple's USD-pegged stablecoin). This broker processes over $10 billion in transactions daily, and Ripple plans to integrate this flow into the XRP Ledger to reduce settlement times from several hours to minutes and significantly lower operating costs across forex, stocks, and cryptocurrencies for clients. Also, RLUSD, which is scheduled to launch later this year, will be included in Hidden Road's margin and collateral systems. Ripple President Monica Long stated, "This is not just about diversification but about dominating the infrastructure." The long legal dispute between Ripple and the SEC officially ended in March. Ripple settled by reducing the original $125 million fine to $50 million, and the SEC withdrew its appeal. Consequently, XRP is legally considered not to be a security in the U.S., eliminating the uncertainty that previously hindered institutional investor participation. Following this ruling, XRP rose by 17%, attracting renewed interest from U.S.-based trading platforms and ETF (exchange-traded fund) issuers. Demand for XRP-linked financial products has surged following regulatory clarification. Asset managers like Galaxy Digital and VanEck have applied for XRP-based ETFs, while major payment companies like Revolut and SBI are expanding XRP-supported settlement rails. According to 21Shares, as of April, XRP is the second most held altcoin in institutional cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs), after Ethereum. Ripple's XRPL is also gaining attention from banks as a compliant and scalable blockchain for tokenized assets and cross-border finance. The Trump administration is showing moves to ease the SEC's approach to cryptocurrencies. The Digital Assets Task Force, launched in April, has the task of redefining cryptocurrency classifications and easing regulation-intensive policies. U.S. Treasury officials have even hinted at the integration of tokenized assets into the government bond infrastructure. These changes provide Ripple with a more predictable operating environment and reopen the possibility of participating in U.S. government pilot programs, from which it was previously excluded due to legal proceedings. --- Ripple's strategic acquisitions, legal resolutions, and favorable regulatory environment create a rare alignment for explosive growth. As the financial world increasingly merges with blockchain, Ripple appears ready to lead with XRP and RLUSD at the forefront.