Is Hidden Road’s OTC Launch the Reason for Ripple’s Bullish Outlook?

Ripple’s $1.25B acquisition of Hidden Road gives it control over a global, multi-asset prime broker platform. Hidden Road launched OTC swaps for U.S. clients, with RLUSD likely used for collateral and XRP as a bridge asset. Ripple is positioning XRP inside institutional capital flows, moving beyond retail transactions into deeper financial infrastructure. Ripple’s $1.25 billion buyout of prime brokerage Hidden Road and the subsequent launch of over-the-counter (OTC) crypto swaps in the U.S. have sparked discussions about their potential impact on Ripple’s market position and the performance of its native token, XRP. Following the acquisition, Hidden Road introduced cash-settled OTC crypto swaps for U.S.-based institutional clients. These swaps, offered through Hidden Road Partners CIV UK Ltd., provide access to a range of prominent digital assets and include services like cross-margining and financing. Institutional Expansion and Regulatory Approvals Rising institutional demand was highlighted in December 2024, when Hidden Road CEO Michael Higgins stated there was growing appetite from large institutions: “ Servicing them [institutional investors]… The post Is Hidden Road’s OTC Launch the Reason for Ripple’s Bullish Outlook? appeared first on Coin Edition .