XRP Could Surge if Ripple Acquires Circle, Experts Say

XRP could see significant gains if Ripple moves forward with acquiring Circle, the issuer of popular stablecoin USDC, according to some industry experts and community figures. Though still speculative, this potential development is stirring heated discussions within the crypto world.

Circle recently filed for an initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange, planning to offer 24 million Class A shares under the ticker CRCL. This announcement casts doubt on rumors that Circle might be acquired before going public, especially amid speculation of a bidding war involving Ripple and Coinbase.

Despite this, Mickle, a notable voice within the XRP community, contends that an acquisition is still on the table. He suggests Circle might abandon its IPO plans if presented with a compelling enough offer from Ripple. Allegedly, Ripple initially bid around $5 billion to acquire Circle, although the firm reportedly rejected that proposal.

Following that, Ripple reportedly returned with a stronger offer that tops $10 billion, as detailed in a later report. Mickle argues that this revised bid might be too attractive for Circle’s shareholders to dismiss, particularly given the company’s aim to raise $6 billion through the IPO route. He insists the deal represents a more rational strategy for Circle and that Ripple would ultimately have the competitive edge if acquisition talks advanced.

Nonetheless, many industry watchers are critical of this theory. Skeptics argue that such speculation isn’t grounded in the realities of corporate governance. For instance, the founder of the MoneyGCC Project Management Service questioned the plausibility of a Ripple acquisition, pointing to the influence of Circle’s board members and the company’s existing alliances — especially with Coinbase — which might complicate or even block a potential deal. He shared his concerns via Twitter, highlighting the potential barriers Ripple could face.

Additionally, Circle has outright refuted any claims of discussions with Ripple or Coinbase over a sale. Their official stance is that the company remains committed to its IPO strategy.

Financing the Deal: Can Ripple Really Afford It?

Even if Ripple is keen on acquiring Circle, a significant hurdle remains: funding. Critics question how Ripple would gather $10 billion to complete the acquisition. Dave Weisberger, a market analyst, raised concerns about Ripple’s ability to liquidate enough XRP tokens without upsetting market dynamics. According to him, unloading vast quantities of XRP could impact its market value and liquidity.

However, Ripple allies like attorney Fred Rispoli presented alternate strategies. He suggested the acquisition could be financed using a combination of debt, existing cash reserves, and company equity — thereby reducing the need to sell large volumes of XRP. Still, Weisberger remains unconvinced that such an arrangement would satisfy all financial demands of a multibillion-dollar deal.

Adding further uncertainty, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has reportedly denied that any $10 billion or $20 billion offer was made. However, the report did suggest he left open the possibility that preliminary discussions may have occurred.

What This Means for XRP’s Ecosystem

Regardless of whether the deal materializes, the discussion has spotlighted potential benefits for XRP if Ripple were to gain control over Circle. Such an acquisition would give Ripple influence over both USDC and its own stablecoin, RLUSD, which could significantly bolster Ripple Payments. This expansion could enhance the utility of XRP for international transactions and settlement solutions.

According to an analysis by The Crypto Basic, AI models like ChatGPT and Grok forecasted bullish outcomes for XRP if the acquisition occurs. In a moderate scenario, XRP might reach $3.50 to $4.50. Under a more optimistic outlook, XRP could potentially soar to as high as $6–$10, assuming the deal enhances ecosystem adoption and cross-border transaction efficiency.

Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused

It remains to be seen whether Ripple will truly pursue and succeed in acquiring Circle. For now, the crypto community waits with cautious curiosity, knowing that any significant movement on this front could have lasting impacts on XRP and the broader blockchain financial landscape.