XRP Creator Ripple Raises Funding at $40B Valuation
Crypto giant Ripple has secured a $500 million raise from funds managed by affiliates of Citadel Securities, Fortress Investment Group, and Brevan Howard, valuing the company at $40 billion.
What's the scoop?
- Market Context: The raise follows XRP’s rally earlier this year to a record $3.65, driven by ETF speculation and renewed regulatory optimism. XRP is now trading around $2.27.
- Expansion Spree: Ripple has been on an acquisition streak — recently buying GTreasury (software treasury), Hidden Road (prime brokerage), and Palisade (custody) — while rolling out its own RLUSD stablecoin.
- Political Tailwinds: The company is capitalizing on the pro-crypto stance of the Trump administration, which has eased regulatory pressure and attracted traditional finance interest.
Bankless take:
A $40B valuation puts Ripple among crypto’s corporate heavyweights, but questions remain about how much of that value comes from XRP speculation versus sustainable network demand. While Wall Street’s participation lends credibility, Ripple’s long-standing centralization critiques and dependence on political cycles suggest investors should remain cautious about its long-term decentralization story.