XRP: Ripple Expands US Market With Hidden Road OTC Swaps

XRP’s growing influence in the institutional digital asset space has taken another major step, as Ripple continues to build its foothold in the U.S. market through strategic initiatives. Backed by Ripple’s infrastructure and financial muscle, the recently acquired brokerage firm Hidden Road has introduced a new over-the-counter (OTC) crypto swaps platform for American institutional clients.

The launch of this offering marks a significant advancement for Ripple’s broader vision of solidifying XRP’s role in institutional liquidity flows. According to an official announcement from Hidden Road, the platform enables U.S.-based institutions to settle OTC cryptocurrency swaps in cash while supporting a selection of leading digital assets.

Broadening Access for Institutional Players

OTC swaps are a preferred tool for institutions looking to execute large trades outside popular exchanges. These off-market transactions help avoid abrupt market impacts, typically caused by large orders in spot or futures markets. Hidden Road’s move is intended to service this key need, enhancing privacy and efficiency for high-volume trading entities in the crypto space.

The operations for this new offering will be managed by Hidden Road Partners CIV UK Ltd., a branch of the brokerage regulated by the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority. Along with OTC swaps, the platform will also provide cross-margining and crypto asset financing capabilities, enriching the service suite available to clients.

According to Michael Higgins, International CEO and Global Head of Corporate Development at Hidden Road, U.S. institutions have historically lacked access to robust digital asset swap products. He stated that, while OTC swaps make up a substantial portion of global crypto trading activities, domestic markets in the U.S. have remained underserved—an issue this rollout aims to resolve.

“With the launch of our swap prime brokerage capabilities for the United States market, we can provide clients with access to an expanded range of products and solutions,” Higgins explained.

Ripple’s Push Into Institutional Finance

This development follows closely on the heels of Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road in a deal projected at around $1.5 billion. Although that transaction is still pending final closure, Ripple has already begun leveraging its large capital reserves to amplify Hidden Road’s capabilities and market footprint.

Ripple aims to transform Hidden Road into one of the largest independent prime brokers worldwide. Beyond the corporate deal, this initiative is regarded as instrumental to Ripple’s strategic goal: bridging institutional capital to flow through the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and facilitating the adoption of XRP for diverse financial applications.

Industry analysts perceive the alliance as core to expanding XRP’s reach beyond its traditional use cases such as retail remittances and enterprise payment solutions. With Hidden Road processing over $3 trillion in transaction volume annually for more than 300 blue-chip market makers, trading firms, and hedge funds globally, XRP could soon become a central asset in institutional liquidity networks.

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

Ripple’s infrastructure transformation is expected to support a broader variety of institutional needs—from treasury operations to large-scale liquidity management. As the digital asset sector matures and U.S. regulations provide clearer guidance, platforms like Hidden Road can play a pivotal role in integrating traditional institutions into the blockchain economy.