Ripple’s Hidden Road Acquisition Accelerates Institutional Shift Into DeFi
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is spotlighting the rapid rise of Hidden Road, the firm’s newly acquired prime brokerage, as a key player bringing traditional finance deeper into the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem.
In a recent episode of the Crypto In One Minute series, Garlinghouse described prime brokers like Hidden Road as critical gateways for institutions—from hedge funds to trading desks—to access everything from derivatives to digital assets. Traditionally, this role has been dominated by legacy giants like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan. But now, fintech players like Ripple are stepping into that space.
Hidden Road, according to Garlinghouse, is handling massive trading volumes and bridging the gap between old finance and new tech. With a strong capital base and growing client list, the firm is reportedly helping traditional financial institutions integrate with DeFi platforms and crypto infrastructure.
The move reflects Ripple’s broader strategy to expand beyond cross-border payments and deepen its involvement in institutional crypto access. Garlinghouse hinted that more prime brokers will likely follow suit as demand for secure and compliant DeFi access ramps up.
Meanwhile, blockchain trackers reported another significant XRP transaction on-chain, signaling continued movement among large holders as Ripple’s ecosystem keeps expanding.
Alexander Stefanov
Reporter at Coindoo
Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics.