In a bold signal that traditional finance may now be fully embracing crypto, Ripple has landed a landmark funding round that positions it at the center of the digital-asset infrastructure boom. The firm’s latest capital raise reflects growing confidence among Wall Street heavyweights in both Ripple’s long-term vision and the broader value of crypto ecosystems.
According to reporting and a social post by Xaif, the company secured roughly $500 million in new funding, lifting its valuation to about $40 billion. The round was led by funds affiliated with Citadel Securities and Fortress Investment Group. Other investors included Pantera Capital, Galaxy Digital, Brevan Howard, and Marshall Wace.
A Shift From Payments Startup to Institutional Platform
Ripple began in 2012 as a payments-focused venture. But over the years, it has expanded aggressively. Now it offers corporate treasury tools, digital-asset custody, stablecoin rails (like RLUSD), and prime-brokerage services via its institutional-facing arm.
The fresh injection of capital will be used to deepen relationships with financial institutions and further roll out these offerings. According to the company, Ripple Payments — powered by RLUSD and XRP — has already processed more than $95 billion in volume. Meanwhile, RLUSD passed $1 billion in market cap less than a year after launch.
CEO Brad Garlinghouse called the raise “a validation of the market opportunity we’re aggressively pursuing.”
Ripple has officially become Wall Street’s favorite crypto bet, securing a massive $500 million funding deal led by some of the biggest names in global finance. The buyers in the round included Citadel and Fortress Investment, along with funds tied to Marshall Wace, Brevan… https://t.co/bzCdvmAlRE pic.twitter.com/m4HfkzEXtU
Why Some Backers Are Betting on XRP Itself
Media coverage suggests many investors view this not only as a bet on Ripple’s infrastructure ambitions, but also as a proxy bet on XRP’s future. Given how central XRP remains to Ripple’s cross-border payments and liquidity operations, some funds anticipate significant upside if XRP gains adoption as a bridge asset or institutional collateral.
The implication: traditional finance is increasingly viewing cryptocurrencies like XRP as investable infrastructure, not just speculative tokens. That shift could reshape how institutions approach digital assets.
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Deal Structure and Institutional Safeguards
The funding round reportedly came with uncommon investor protections. Some participants received contractual rights to exit, for instance, through share sale options after a defined period. These protections signal caution among institutional allocators, despite their large bet.
That caution may reflect broader market uncertainty. Crypto remains volatile. But with protections in place, many traditional funds likely saw this round as a calculated, relatively lower-risk entry into digital-asset infrastructure.
What’s Next for Ripple and Its Investors
Ripple now seems intent on growing further before considering any public offering. At its 2025 Swell conference, executives reportedly said there is no plan or timeline for an IPO.
Going forward, key areas to watch include on-chain liquidity and institutional usage of XRP for settlement or collateral. If Ripple’s stablecoin rails and treasury services gain traction, XRP could see renewed demand from non-retail investors.
On the corporate side, expansion of prime-brokerage services and stablecoin offerings may reshape how traditional institutions use crypto assets. For many of these investors, the recent round represents not a gamble on hype — but a strategic investment in the next generation of financial infrastructure.