SBI Holdings CEO Yoshitaka Kitao has voiced strong support for Ripple’s latest acquisition of Hidden Road, now rebranded as Ripple Prime. According to Kitao, the purchase is a logical step that positions Ripple to modernize prime brokerage services in the digital era.
His endorsement reflects the growing confidence among financial leaders in Ripple’s strategic direction and its efforts to advance institutional adoption of blockchain-based assets such as XRP and RLUSD.
Ripple’s transformation of Hidden Road into Ripple Prime signals a broader push to integrate traditional financial operations with digital asset management. The new platform is designed to offer institutional clients a complete suite of services, including payments, crypto custody, and stablecoin operations.
Through these capabilities, Ripple Prime aims to simplify and enhance the efficiency of asset management for financial institutions while utilizing XRP and RLUSD as its core digital instruments.
It’s Prime Time: Ripple Closes Hidden Road Acquisition to Bring Prime Brokerage into the Digital Age https://t.co/G6QvY2zTV9
— 北尾吉孝 (@yoshitaka_kitao) October 28, 2025
Ripple Prime Strengthens Institutional Digital Asset Infrastructure
Ripple Prime is expected to redefine institutional engagement with blockchain technology by providing non-bank prime brokerage solutions. These services will support institutions in accessing liquidity, managing digital assets, and utilizing stablecoins for settlement and collateral purposes. Consequently, Ripple’s move will strengthen its position in the competitive market for institutional-grade blockchain solutions.
Moreover, the integration of Ripple Prime within Ripple’s existing ecosystem highlights the company’s continued evolution. By blending its payments infrastructure with advanced asset management tools, Ripple seeks to close the gap between traditional finance and digital innovation. This development aligns with the increasing demand for efficient, secure, and scalable digital asset services among global institutions.
Ripple Expands Academic Commitment to Blockchain Innovation
Beyond acquisitions, Ripple remains deeply invested in blockchain research and development. Through its University Blockchain Research Initiative, the company has allocated more than $1.5 million in Ripple USD (RLUSD) to academic partnerships worldwide. This investment underscores Ripple’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting researchers exploring the potential of blockchain technology.
Kitao’s endorsement and Ripple’s consistent expansion demonstrate how the company continues to solidify its influence within the global financial ecosystem. As Ripple Prime prepares to enter the market, the initiative marks a new phase in institutional digital asset management and reflects Ripple’s growing leadership in merging blockchain with finance.