Ripple, through its acquisition of Hidden Road, has obtained a broker-dealer license from FINRA, a significant step in broadening its prime brokerage services for institutional investors. This move is seen by industry observers as a strategic maneuver by Ripple to enhance its infrastructure and prepare for future growth, with traders anticipating a potential increase in the value of XRP in the future.

The recent approval granted to Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC allows the firm to offer a wider range of regulatory-compliant services, such as clearing, financing, and prime brokerage for fixed-income assets to institutional clients. Noel Kimmel, Hidden Road's President, emphasized the importance of this license, stating that it improves the company's ability to operate in traditional financial markets.

Following Ripple's acquisition of Hidden Road for $1.25 billion, the company now stands as the first cryptocurrency firm to own a global, multi-asset prime broker. Market analysts view this acquisition and subsequent licensing as part of Ripple's broader strategic plan. Some experts suggest that XRP's price stability in the face of recent developments is not a sign of weakness but a calculated move by Ripple to strategically position itself. Analysts believe that the current price of XRP reflects Ripple's deliberate approach, allowing the company to operate discreetly while making significant strategic decisions, such as the acquisition of Hidden Road.