- Ripple acquires Hidden Road to drive institutional DeFi market entry.
- Brad Garlinghouse highlights rapid growth in crypto prime brokerage services.
- Whale Alert spots 35M XRP moved amid Ripple’s DeFi push.
Brad Garlinghouse, the CEO of Ripple, has unveiled the firm’s expanding strategy in the decentralized finance space, while a massive XRP transaction has drawn attention across the crypto community. The shift in XRP holdings coincided with Ripple’s recent move to deepen its position in the DeFi market through a strategic acquisition.
According to Garlinghouse, Ripple’s newly acquired company, Hidden Road, is gaining ground as a key player in both traditional and decentralized finance sectors. Speaking in a recent “Crypto In One Minute” episode, he described prime brokers like Hidden Road as critical tools for hedge funds, market makers, and trading desks. These entities rely on brokers to handle trades and clear transactions across various assets including digital tokens, swaps, and derivatives.
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Garlinghouse emphasized that prime brokerage services have historically been controlled by major banks such as JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs. However, Ripple is now pushing to shift that balance. He noted that Hidden Road is helping financial institutions adopt DeFi tools, bridging the gap between legacy finance and blockchain-based systems.
The Ripple CEO also stressed that Hidden Road is well-funded with a strong balance sheet. He highlighted that the company is not just keeping pace but growing rapidly in both the DeFi and traditional markets. As more institutions explore blockchain adoption, Ripple expects prime brokers to play an even greater role in enabling this transition.
Large XRP Transaction Coincides With Strategic Expansion
Shortly after Garlinghouse’s statements, blockchain tracker Whale Alert reported a significant XRP transfer. According to Whale Alert, 35 million XRP, valued at over $108 million, moved between two unidentified wallets. The sudden transfer has sparked speculation among XRP holders about possible strategic shifts or internal movements tied to Ripple’s evolving plans.
This transaction, though unconfirmed in origin, aligns with Ripple’s increased activity and renewed focus on crypto integration for institutions. The connection between this transfer and Ripple’s broader efforts to support DeFi adoption has not been officially clarified, but the timing has raised questions.
Ripple’s ongoing push into decentralized finance continues to make waves in the crypto space. The combination of leadership moves and on-chain activity signals that Ripple may be preparing for an expanded role in reshaping institutional access to DeFi.
Garlinghouse’s remarks and the coinciding XRP transaction point to Ripple’s intensifying efforts to establish a foothold in decentralized finance. As Hidden Road scales its reach, and XRP movements hint at behind-the-scenes changes, Ripple’s next phase of growth may be closely tied to DeFi innovation.
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