XRP: Ripple Gains Support Over Coinbase in Circle Bid

The ongoing bid by Ripple to acquire Circle, the issuer of stablecoin USDC, has brought the spotlight squarely onto XRP. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has publicly voiced support for Ripple in the acquisition battle, positioning the XRP ecosystem as a force that can disrupt what he describes as an exclusionary monopoly in the crypto industry.

In a recent video, Hoskinson called the rumored multi-billion-dollar deal a move that could benefit the cryptocurrency space as a whole. He criticized the existing structure built around Coinbase, Andreessen Horowitz, and Circle—describing it as an insider network that hinders outsiders from achieving visibility, liquidity, and access to stablecoins. He believes Ripple, the company responsible for XRP, could bring more inclusivity and competition to the market.

Speaking candidly, Hoskinson described how difficult it has become for projects not tied to this network to list on platforms, access capital, or adopt stablecoins. By backing Ripple’s involvement in the Circle takeover, he hopes to see an alternative emerge that offers a broader, more open playing field for crypto startups.

Reports suggest both Ripple and Coinbase are currently in a fierce bidding war to buy Circle, each offering sums in the billions. Notably, speculation from industry voices indicates that Ripple may have an upper hand. Some have cited figures north of $11 billion for Ripple’s offer.

Part of the buzz stems from recent social media activity over the weekend, where users claimed that Ripple had submitted a superior bid. While some suspected that the deal might be finalized on May 26, others dismissed that due to the U.S. public holiday, making an official announcement unlikely at the time.

Interestingly, just a few weeks earlier, it was rumored that Ripple had originally proposed a smaller offer in the range of $4 to $5 billion. That bid was reportedly declined. However, whispers later hinted at a dramatic increase to a $20 billion valuation, although none of this has been officially confirmed.

Beyond the acquisition, Ripple’s stablecoin RLUSD is also drawing attention. Hoskinson revealed that Cardano is actively exploring opportunities to integrate RLUSD into its own blockchain ecosystem. According to him, the Cardano development team has already reached out to Ripple to discuss the potential integration, expressing their interest in building the bridge entirely free of charge due to their goodwill toward the XRP community.

Efforts to bring Cardano and Ripple closer together have been underway for months. Late last year, conversations between Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Hoskinson hinted at a possible collaboration. These discussions, followed by public statements full of mutual respect, laid the groundwork for what may soon transform into direct technological cooperation.

Hoskinson also confirmed that there have been meetings with the RLUSD team and discussions are currently ongoing. If this partnership materializes, it would strengthen XRP’s utility and extension into another major blockchain ecosystem, underscoring the growing relevance of Ripple’s stablecoin ambitions.

Adding to the speculation, a promotional video Ripple released in April showcased a brief flash of the Cardano logo, fueling rumors of a strategic alignment. While no official announcements have been made yet, the growing public coordination between the two entities suggests that a formal partnership may be imminent.

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

This convergence of Ripple’s strategic expansion and Cardano’s openness signals a turning point. As XRP’s ecosystem seeks to expand via acquisitions and integrations, it could dramatically reshape the stablecoin landscape and set a precedent for how cooperative growth can drive greater presence and utility in the blockchain space.