Ripple Prime Brokerage Launch: A New Era for Digital Asset Trading
Ripple has launched its digital asset prime brokerage platform for US institutional clients on November 3, 2025. The new service enables over-the-counter spot trading across dozens of major cryptocurrencies, including XRP and RLUSD stablecoin. This development marks a significant expansion in Ripple’s institutional offerings. The platform, Ripple Prime, emerged from the company’s acquisition of multi-asset prime brokerage Hidden Road.
The launch provides US institutions with comprehensive trading capabilities, including foreign exchange, derivatives, swaps, and fixed income services. Institutional investors can now access a unified platform that bridges traditional finance with digital assets. Ripple completed its $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road in October 2025. The integration combines Ripple’s regulatory licenses with Hidden Road’s established infrastructure.
Digital Asset Prime Brokerage Offers Cross-Margin Capabilities
US-based institutional clients can cross-margin OTC spot transactions with their broader blockchain asset portfolios, including CME futures and options. This feature allows institutions to manage risk more efficiently across multiple asset classes. Clients can now integrate spot positions alongside swaps and CME-listed derivatives under one operational framework.
The Ripple digital asset prime brokerage platform addresses a critical need in institutional crypto trading. Michael Higgins, International CEO of Ripple Prime, stated that OTC spot execution capabilities complement existing derivatives services—the service positions Ripple to meet diverse trading strategies required by institutional clients. Before the acquisition, Hidden Road was clearing $3 trillion annually across markets with over 300 institutional customers.
Ripple Expands Digital Asset Services Beyond Prime Brokerage
Ripple Prime joins Ripple Payments and Ripple Custody as part of the company’s institutional crypto services portfolio. The payments solution uses blockchain technology to facilitate cross-border transactions, and the custody platform provides secure storage for digital assets. Ripple has been on an acquisition and expansion spree throughout 2025, including a $1 billion acquisition of GTreasury.
The company’s native assets play a central role in these offerings. XRP and RLUSD are integrated across Ripple’s services to enhance liquidity and streamline settlement for institutional participants. The stablecoin serves as collateral in institutional trading activities within the prime brokerage framework. Ripple also led a $1 billion raise to expand its XRP treasury reserves, supporting ecosystem liquidity and on-chain payments capacity.
Prime Brokerage Platform Bridges Traditional and Crypto Markets
The combination aims to turn the brokerage into the largest nonbank prime broker globally. This ambitious goal reflects Ripple’s commitment to institutional cryptocurrency adoption. The move effectively bridges traditional and crypto markets under a single operational umbrella. Institutions gain access to a comprehensive suite of products previously available only through multiple providers.
The timing of this launch aligns with improving regulatory conditions for digital assets. Ripple’s recent partnerships include three nonprofit organizations using its payment solution and stablecoin for humanitarian efforts. These include World Central Kitchen, Water.org, and Mercy Corps Ventures. The partnerships demonstrate the practical applications of Ripple’s technology beyond trading.
Conclusion
The launch represents a strategic milestone in Ripple’s evolution from a payments-focused company to a comprehensive financial services provider. The digital asset prime brokerage platform provides institutions with tools previously unavailable in the US market. Cross-margin functionality offers operational efficiency that institutional traders demand. Integrating traditional and digital assets under one platform reduces complexity for institutional participants.
Ripple’s aggressive expansion strategy throughout 2025 demonstrates confidence in institutional cryptocurrency adoption. The company’s acquisitions and capital raises position it to capture market share as traditional finance embraces digital assets. The Ripple digital asset prime brokerage platform is a cornerstone of this strategy.
