Core Insights - Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse indicated that the company may consider acquisitions in the second half of 2026 after a significant $4 billion investment in mergers and acquisitions last year, despite XRP being 60% below its peak [1][2]. M&A Strategy - Garlinghouse stated that the focus for 2026 will be on integration rather than new acquisitions, although there may be a shift towards being more acquisitive in the latter half of the year [2]. - Last year, Ripple's investments in the crypto ecosystem included major deals such as Hidden Road for $1.25 billion and GTreasury for $1 billion [3]. Product Focus - XRP is described as the central element for Ripple, with all products including Ripple Payments, Ripple Prime, Ripple Treasury, custody, and RLUSD stablecoin aimed at enhancing utility, trust, velocity, and liquidity around XRP and the XRP Ledger [4]. Market Performance - XRP experienced a bounce after dropping to the $1.15-$1.20 range, with critical support holding at this level. However, significant resistance remains above, particularly around $1.45-$1.50 and $1.70-$1.80 [7][8][9]. - For a meaningful recovery, XRP needs to maintain levels above $1.30 and continue to create higher lows [9]. Investment Positioning - The $4 billion expenditure last year positions Ripple as one of the most active acquirers in the crypto space, second only to Tether [10].

Cryptocurrency Industry Overview - The cryptocurrency industry has experienced a significant downturn in 2026, with the total market value dropping to $2.3 trillion, a 47% decrease from the previous year's peak [1] - XRP, the fifth largest cryptocurrency, has seen a dramatic decline of 65% from its all-time high [1] XRP and Ripple Payments - XRP was created by Ripple to facilitate a unique payment system that allows banks to conduct instant global transactions with minimal fees [2] - Currently, XRP is trading at $1.26 per token, with predictions suggesting it may drop to $1 or lower in 2026 [2] Real-World Utility Challenges - The global banking system remains fragmented, with some banks relying on networks like SWIFT, leading to costly and time-consuming transactions [5] - Ripple Payments aims to enable direct cross-border transactions between banks, resulting in near-instant settlements and significantly reduced costs [6] Structural Issues Affecting XRP - XRP's value is theoretically expected to rise as more banks adopt Ripple Payments; however, structural issues hinder this potential [7] - Banks typically convert received XRP into their domestic currency almost immediately, limiting the long-term holding of XRP and creating no real value for the token [7] - The Ripple Payments network allows banks to use fiat currencies, meaning there is not always a direct correlation between Ripple Payments activity and XRP's value [8] - The introduction of Ripple USD, a stablecoin launched in late 2024, offers a more stable payment option, contrasting with XRP's volatility and potential for losses [9]

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Core Viewpoint - Ripple has received full approval for an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from Luxembourg's financial regulator, enabling the company to expand its regulated payment services across the European Union [1]. Group 1: Regulatory Approval - The Luxembourg financial regulator, CSSF, granted final authorization to Ripple after the company met all necessary conditions [1]. - This follows Ripple's preliminary approval announced last month, indicating a swift regulatory process [1]. Group 2: Strategic Importance - Europe is identified as a strategic priority for Ripple, with the new authorization allowing the company to enhance its blockchain infrastructure offerings to clients across the EU [2]. - The company aims to assist European businesses in transitioning to a more efficient, digital-first financial environment [2]. Group 3: Expansion of Services - The Luxembourg EMI license is part of Ripple's broader regulatory strategy in Europe, complementing its recent EMI license and cryptoasset registration from the U.K.'s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) [3]. - Ripple plans to leverage this license to accelerate the rollout of "Ripple Payments," targeting banks, fintechs, and enterprise clients for cross-border payment solutions [3]. Group 4: Licensing Landscape - Ripple has increased its global license count to over 75, positioning itself as one of the most heavily licensed companies in the crypto sector as the industry moves towards regulated, institution-facing applications [4]. - Luxembourg serves as a common base for regulated financial services within the EU, although Ripple has not specified the timeline for service rollout or the initial member states to be served [4].

Key Points Investors rejoiced last year when payments company Ripple settled its long legal battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The settlement sent Ripple's XRP cryptocurrency soaring to a seven-year high, but the euphoria was short-lived. XRP is currently down almost 50% from its recent peak. 10 stocks we like better than XRP › The XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) cryptocurrency soared to $3.65 per token last July, marking the highest price since 2018. Investors were bullish because its parent ...

Core Insights - XRP price surged nearly 3% to $1.96, approaching the significant $2 level amid Ripple's expansion efforts [1][2] - Ripple's collaboration with DXC Technology aims to integrate digital asset solutions into traditional banking systems [3][4] Ripple's Strategic Moves - Ripple President Monica Long provided strong forecasts for 2026, coinciding with the recent price surge [3] - CEO Brad Garlinghouse's participation at the World Economic Forum in Davos highlighted Ripple's growing influence [3] Partnership with DXC Technology - DXC Technology will integrate Ripple's digital asset custody and payment solutions into its Hogan core banking platform, which manages over 300 million deposit accounts valued at over $5 trillion [4] - The integration aims to enable financial institutions to offer digital asset custody, tokenization, and cross-border payment services without disrupting existing systems [4][5] Benefits of the Collaboration - The partnership is designed to provide secure custody and seamless payment capabilities for institutions, facilitating their entry into the digital asset ecosystem [5] - Ripple Payments and Ripple Custody will be embedded into DXC's banking infrastructure, allowing banks and fintechs to adopt digital asset capabilities while ensuring regulatory compliance [6]

Core Viewpoint - Ripple has no plans for an initial public offering (IPO) and intends to remain private while focusing on acquisitions and product development [1] Group 1: Company Strategy - The company is well-positioned to fund its growth internally without needing public market access [1] - Ripple completed four acquisitions in 2025, totaling nearly $4 billion, to enhance its enterprise digital asset infrastructure [4] - The company aims to create products that integrate stablecoins, tokenized assets, and crypto rails into traditional finance workflows [6] Group 2: Financial Performance - Ripple raised $500 million in November 2025 at a valuation of $40 billion, with participation from notable investors [2] - As of last November, Ripple Payments processed over $95 billion in total volume, indicating strong operational performance [5] Group 3: Investor Relations - The terms of the recent funding round were described as "very positive" for Ripple, including investor protections such as the right to sell shares back at a guaranteed price [3]

Core Insights - Ripple launched a stablecoin called Ripple USD in 2024, which is designed for payments with virtually zero volatility, contrasting with the significant price fluctuations of XRP [1] - XRP ended 2025 in a negative position due to structural issues, as banks can utilize Ripple Payments without needing to use XRP, limiting the token's value growth [2] - XRP had a strong year in 2025, with the U.S. SEC settling its legal battle against Ripple and the approval of spot XRP exchange-traded funds, leading to a record high for the token [3] Ripple and XRP Overview - Ripple operates the Ripple Payments network, enabling global banks to conduct instant cross-border transactions, using XRP to standardize transactions and reduce foreign exchange fees [4] - The total cryptocurrency market value was $3.1 trillion at the start of 2026, down 28% from its all-time high, indicating a challenging environment for cryptocurrencies including XRP [5][6] Comparative Analysis of Cryptocurrencies - Bitcoin, XRP, and Dogecoin all faced losses in 2025, with Bitcoin holding a market cap of $1.8 trillion, representing over half of the total cryptocurrency market [10] - Bitcoin is viewed as a digital version of gold, with attributes such as decentralization, capped supply, and a secure blockchain system contributing to its perception as a store of value [11][12] - Predictions suggest Bitcoin could appreciate significantly, with estimates of reaching $21 million per coin by 2045, although current usage as a payment mechanism is limited [13][15] Future Outlook - Bitcoin is considered to have the best potential for positive returns in 2026, while XRP and Dogecoin face ongoing structural challenges that may hinder their value [14] - The Motley Fool's Stock Advisor team has identified other stocks as better investment opportunities compared to XRP, indicating a cautious outlook for the token [16][18]

Ripple has no plans to pursue an initial public offering despite closing a $500 million fundraising in November at a $40 billion valuation that attracted major Wall Street players. President Monica Long confirmed the decision in a Bloomberg interview, stating the company remains committed to staying private while leveraging strategic investor relationships and a strong balance sheet to fund continued expansion. The $40 billion valuation round brought Fortress Investment Group and Citadel Securities onto ...

Core Viewpoint - Ripple's President Monica Long reiterated that the company has no plans for an IPO, emphasizing a preference for growth through acquisitions and product expansion [1] Company Summary - Ripple completed a $500 million financing round in November 2025, achieving a valuation of approximately $40 billion, with investors including Fortress Investment Group and Citadel Securities [1] - In 2025, Ripple executed four acquisitions (Hidden Road, Rail, GTreasury, Palisade) with a total transaction value of nearly $4 billion [1] - As of November last year, Ripple Payments processed a cumulative transaction volume exceeding $95 billion, with its USD stablecoin RLUSD becoming central to payment and institutional business [1]