Ripple’s Circle Acquisition Would Be ‘Disastrous’ for Crypto, Warns MetaLeX’s Shapiro
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In a fiery critique that’s ignited debate across the crypto world, MetaLeX CEO Daniel Shapiro has publicly warned that Ripple’s rumored acquisition of Circle could have “disastrous” consequences for the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.
A Bold Power Play?
Speculation has been swirling in recent weeks about a potential takeover, with sources indicating that Ripple — the company behind XRP — is exploring a deal to acquire Circle, the issuer of the second-largest stablecoin, USDC.
If completed, the merger would create one of the most powerful entities in crypto: a unified force combining Ripple’s global payment infrastructure with Circle’s dominance in the stablecoin market.
But not everyone sees it as a positive development.
Shapiro’s Stark Warning
Speaking at a blockchain policy forum, MetaLeX CEO Daniel Shapiro didn’t mince words.
“A Ripple-Circle merger would centralize far too much influence in the hands of a single corporate entity,” Shapiro said. “We’re talking about one firm having its fingers in cross-border payments, stablecoins, and regulatory lobbying — it’s the antithesis of crypto’s decentralized ethos.”
Shapiro raised concerns about Ripple’s history of regulatory entanglements and its ongoing legal battles with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), suggesting that such a move could stifle innovation and invite further scrutiny from global regulators.
Market Response
While no official confirmation has been made, even the rumor of a potential acquisition has triggered waves in the market. XRP saw a modest price bump on speculation, while USDC trading volumes surged amid concerns over its future independence and governance.
Industry voices remain divided — some praise the potential for scale and stability, while others echo Shapiro’s fears of centralization.
Why It Matters
Circle’s USDC is widely regarded as one of the most trusted stablecoins in the market, with deep integrations across DeFi, centralized exchanges, and fintech platforms. Ripple, on the other hand, has built an extensive payments infrastructure focused on institutional adoption.
Bringing these two entities together could dramatically shift the balance of power in crypto — for better or worse.
What’s Next?
As of now, neither Ripple nor Circle has commented publicly on the acquisition rumors. However, if negotiations are underway, an announcement could come within weeks.
In the meantime, the crypto community remains on edge — watching closely as the fate of two industry giants hangs in the balance.