Key Takeaways
- • Ripple and DriveWealth, a brokerage-as-a-service provider powering investing and trading for over 100 partners globally, are set to integrate Ripple's institutional products into DriveWealth's global investment infrastructure, according to the announcement reported by U.Today.
- • DriveWealth will first roll out institutional settlements using Ripple's U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin RLUSD on the XRP Ledger in Europe, with a U.S. rollout to follow.
- • The integration is designed to let institutional clients fund and manage collateral accounts with stablecoins that can be converted to traditional currency in close to real time, reducing reliance on bank wires for cross-border transfers.
- • DriveWealth and Ripple Prime are exploring equity financing opportunities through Ripple Prime's Delta One offering, extending Ripple's prime brokerage business into new areas.
Summary
Ripple, a payments company using blockchain technology, is set to partner with DriveWealth, a global brokerage infrastructure provider, in a deal expected to bring blockchain-based payments, stablecoin settlement, and digital asset custody into traditional financial markets. As per the announcement, both companies will integrate a number of Ripple's institutional products with DriveWealth's global investment infrastructure. DriveWealth provides brokerage-as-a-service that powers investing and trading for more than 100 partners worldwide, including fintechs, digital wallets, and financial institutions seeking access to U.S. stock markets. The tie-up would extend Ripple's footprint in traditional finance by giving DriveWealth's global platform network access to Ripple's blockchain-based infrastructure.
A central element of the partnership is the integration of RLUSD, Ripple's U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, for institutional settlements. DriveWealth will first roll out RLUSD-based settlements on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) in Europe before extending the service to the United States. Ripple's stablecoin minting and burning features will support the integration. The goal is to let institutional customers fund and manage collateral accounts with stablecoins that can be exchanged for traditional currency in close to real time, reducing dependence on bank transfers, which can take considerably longer, particularly for overseas payments. The announcement highlights a mismatch between U.S. equities settlement, which follows a cyclical schedule, and cross-border money transfers, which can take substantially more time. DriveWealth aims to make capital available more quickly so clients can fund trading operations without relying on bank wires.
Beyond payments and settlement, the partnership could open new avenues for Ripple's expanding prime brokerage business. DriveWealth and Ripple Prime are examining equity financing opportunities that Ripple Prime's Delta One desk could offer. Ripple's move into prime brokerage follows its acquisition of Hidden Road, a prime brokerage serving crypto hedge funds, for $1.25 billion, as reported in other coverage. Publisher context also notes that the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted Ripple conditional approval in December 2025 to establish Ripple National Trust Bank. The partnership's financial terms were not disclosed in the source material.
A central element of the partnership is the integration of RLUSD, Ripple's U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, for institutional settlements. DriveWealth will first roll out RLUSD-based settlements on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) in Europe before extending the service to the United States. Ripple's stablecoin minting and burning features will support the integration. The goal is to let institutional customers fund and manage collateral accounts with stablecoins that can be exchanged for traditional currency in close to real time, reducing dependence on bank transfers, which can take considerably longer, particularly for overseas payments. The announcement highlights a mismatch between U.S. equities settlement, which follows a cyclical schedule, and cross-border money transfers, which can take substantially more time. DriveWealth aims to make capital available more quickly so clients can fund trading operations without relying on bank wires.
Beyond payments and settlement, the partnership could open new avenues for Ripple's expanding prime brokerage business. DriveWealth and Ripple Prime are examining equity financing opportunities that Ripple Prime's Delta One desk could offer. Ripple's move into prime brokerage follows its acquisition of Hidden Road, a prime brokerage serving crypto hedge funds, for $1.25 billion, as reported in other coverage. Publisher context also notes that the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted Ripple conditional approval in December 2025 to establish Ripple National Trust Bank. The partnership's financial terms were not disclosed in the source material.
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