Ripple’s $250M Acquisition of Metaco Boosts Crypto Custody Offering

Before the acquisition, Ripple operated primarily as a cryptocurrency exchange and payments network. The 2022 FTX collapse exposed a shortage of regulated custody solutions for institutional investors, leaving Ripple unable to serve banks and asset managers seeking secure digital‑asset storage. Regulatory scrutiny in the United States intensified, making it difficult to launch new custody products internally.

In May 2023 Ripple announced the purchase of Switzerland‑based Metaco for $250 million, half cash and half equity. Metaco provided enterprise‑grade custody technology already used by major banks such as Citi, BNP Paribas and Société Générale. The deal gave Ripple immediate access to Metaco’s client base, a Swiss regulatory foothold, and a ready‑made custody suite, accelerating its expansion into institutional crypto services.

Added Metaco’s custody tech, institutional clients (Citi, BNP Paribas), Swiss regulatory foothold, and expanded Ripple’s product suite and global footprint.

The FTX collapse highlighted a critical gap in Ripple’s product suite: lack of a trusted, regulated custody solution for institutional clients.

Metaco’s existing technology and client relationships offered an instant, low‑risk way to fill that gap compared with building custody capabilities from scratch.

Acquiring a Swiss‑based firm provided regulatory clarity and a foothold in a jurisdiction with clearer crypto rules, easing U.S. regulatory pressure.

Acquiring regulated niche player instantly fills product gaps, adds trusted clients, and provides regulatory shortcut—showing strategic M&A can accelerate transformation when organic growth too slow.

Following the acquisition, Ripple integrated Metaco’s custody platform into its product line, launching Ripple Custody for institutions. The move broadened Ripple’s revenue streams beyond trading and payments, attracted new banking partners, and strengthened its position as a bridge between traditional finance and crypto. Metaco’s team remained in place, continuing to serve existing clients while supporting Ripple’s global expansion.