Ripple has embarked on a series of significant moves in the cryptocurrency market following the settlement of its prolonged dispute with the SEC. The company’s strategic shift towards aggressive growth and technological investment has drawn considerable attention. One of the most notable developments was the acquisition of financial services provider Hidden Road for $1.25 billion. Further, rumors of Ripple’s billion-dollar offer for Circle Group echoed widely across the market.
Circle’s Offer and Institutional Investment Initiative
According to Bloomberg, Ripple extended an acquisition offer between $4 and $5 billion to Circle, a prominent US-based fintech company. However, reports suggest that the offer was declined. Circle stated that due to an ongoing “quiet period” with the SEC, a public assessment would not be provided. Moreover, the company emphasized that there were no changes in its long-term objectives. This development highlights Ripple’s aggressive expansion plans on a global scale, not just locally.
Ripple’s strategic maneuver is viewed as an attempt to not only penetrate new markets but also intensify competition in the stablecoin market. While Circle’s USDC remains a leading stable digital asset, Ripple’s RLUSD, launched late last year, is yet to achieve similar impact. RLUSD debuted with a market capitalization of $317 million but has remained overshadowed by giants like USDC and USDT. A potential merger with Circle could have shifted this balance significantly.