TLDR
- Ripple agreed to a $150M credit facility with Gemini, tied to RLUSD use.
- The $200M Rail acquisition strengthens Ripple’s global payment network.
- Ripple’s ecosystem now includes credit, brokerage, stablecoins, and trade.
- Hidden Road acquisition adds brokerage services to Ripple’s growing stack.
Ripple is expanding its role in the digital asset space, and recent activity suggests a much broader plan is in motion. A credit deal with Gemini and the acquisition of payment provider Rail are giving shape to Ripple’s strategy. A crypto expert has now described Ripple as a “full-stack financial services firm,” positioning XRP at the center of lending, payments, and settlement infrastructure.
Ripple-Gemini Credit Deal Shows Lending Strategy Expansion
A recent filing tied to Gemini’s IPO revealed a credit agreement between the crypto exchange and Ripple. The deal allows Gemini to borrow up to $75 million in USD, with an upper cap of $150 million. Lending requests beyond the initial amount may be settled using RLUSD, Ripple’s stablecoin, if both parties agree.
Omar, an investor at Dragonfly, shared on X that Ripple is blending lending, payments, and token infrastructure. He said, “Ripple is now turning into a full-stack financial services firm using XRP.” The filing is one of the few public insights into Ripple’s credit operations, showing the company’s willingness to deploy capital through structured lending.
Seeing Ripple's credit agreement in the Gemini filing is a gentle reminder of the behemoth they've morphed into
Over the last ~1.5 years, they've bolted on a prime broker (Hidden Road), a PSP (Rail), an EVM chain (XRPL EVM), and a stablecoin (RLUSD)
Now we're watching as they… https://t.co/e8I2BakVSx pic.twitter.com/f8PzoWbmtD
— Omar (@TheOneandOmsy) August 23, 2025
Ripple’s strategy is not only about offering credit but integrating stablecoin-backed lending into its network. RLUSD, Ripple’s stablecoin, is being positioned as a bridge between digital and fiat systems. This allows Ripple to maintain liquidity and meet institutional demand for stable, on-chain financial products.
Rail Acquisition and Stablecoin Integration Support Cross-Border Goals
Ripple recently completed the acquisition of Rail, a payment service provider, for $200 million. This purchase helps Ripple strengthen its presence in the global payment space and enhance the real-world use of XRP and RLUSD. Rail’s infrastructure allows Ripple to offer faster and broader settlement solutions for financial institutions.
The acquisition supports Ripple’s goal of combining payment rails with its token ecosystem. The firm aims to create a system where institutions can borrow, trade, and settle without leaving the Ripple environment. RLUSD adds another layer to this system, giving Ripple a tool to manage currency conversion and transfer speed.
The expansion into stablecoins and real-world payments shows how Ripple is aligning digital assets with traditional finance. The company’s growing ecosystem now includes settlement, tokenization, lending, and payment tools, giving clients a single platform to manage their digital asset needs.
Ripple Growth Into Brokerage and Infrastructure Adds New Financial Layers
Ripple has expanded into brokerage services with the acquisition of Hidden Road, a firm offering prime brokerage for digital assets. This move adds a trading layer to Ripple’s ecosystem. Institutions will now be able to access borrowing, trading, and settlement services through one network.
Alongside brokerage, Ripple has continued to grow its infrastructure offerings. With the integration of XRPL’s EVM, Ripple now supports tokenized assets and smart contracts on its ledger. This makes it easier for clients to launch and manage new financial products without building custom systems.
Crypto expert Omar said, “Ripple’s team does not often get the credit it deserves. They are quietly building the future of finance.” His comment comes as the company continues to link its services and build an end-to-end system for digital assets. This strategy supports XRP’s wider use across financial networks.
As more institutions adopt Ripple’s tools, XRP’s utility could rise. Analysts expect that Ripple’s consolidated ecosystem could help the token gain stronger market traction in the months ahead.
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