Rumors recently swirled through the crypto world that Ripple was planning a massive acquisition of stablecoin issuer Circle for $5 billion. But Ripple’s leadership has now put an end to the speculation. CEO Brad Garlinghouse and CTO David Schwartz have both made it clear that there are no such plans, with Schwartz adding that his earlier remark on the topic was just a lighthearted joke taken out of context.

Was Ripple Really Planning to Buy Circle?

To address growing rumors, Ripple’s top executives stepped in to clarify the situation. Speaking at a Las Vegas crypto conference, CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated that Ripple “has never pursued the acquisition of Circle,” emphasizing that such a deal is not aligned with Ripple’s current strategic goals. His remarks come at a time when stablecoins are gaining increasing importance in the digital finance ecosystem.

“Six Billion – Final Offer!” A Joke That Got Out of Hand

CTO David Schwartz addressed the situation in a more relaxed tone. On X (formerly Twitter), he admitted that his earlier post referencing a potential $6 billion offer for Circle was never serious.

“It was a joke,” Schwartz wrote. “Someone claimed Ripple offered $5 billion and got turned down. I replied with something like, ‘Okay, six – but that’s our final offer.’ I meant it as a joke, but I deleted the tweet later because I didn’t want people to take it seriously.”

Despite the intended humor, his comment sparked fresh speculation online, eventually prompting official clarification.

Is Circle for Sale? Apparently Not

Speculation about a possible Circle acquisition has been circulating since early May, with estimates suggesting the company could command a price tag of $12 to $13 billion. Circle, however, has publicly denied any intention to sell, insisting that it remains committed to operating independently.

That hasn’t stopped interest in the stablecoin sector from heating up. As competition between USDT, USDC, and newer players intensifies, many experts expect a wave of consolidation to hit the market soon—making any acquisition rumors instantly headline-worthy.

Bottom Line: Ripple Is Focused Elsewhere

While the crypto world continues to monitor the stablecoin landscape for signs of future mergers or acquisitions, Ripple has made it clear that it is focused on developing its own ecosystem and products. For now, any talk of a Circle acquisition appears to be just noise—fueled by a joke and taken a little too seriously.



#BradGarlinghouse , #Ripple , #Circle , #davidschwartz , #CryptoNewss

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