Part 3: Ripple’s Master Plan: Building the Financial Internet with or Without Circle
Ripple Labs has made bold moves to position itself as the backbone of the next-generation financial system. With its XRP token at the center, Ripple's acquisitions reflect an ambitious plan to own the stack of global finance. Now, rumors and reports of Ripple attempting to acquire Circle, the issuer of USDC (the second-largest stablecoin by market cap), have triggered new speculation:
What is Ripple really trying to build, and what happens if the Circle deal doesn't go through?
If Ripple Acquires Circle: The Financial Internet Becomes Reality
Should Ripple successfully acquire Circle, the company would instantly become a powerhouse of tokenized finance, combining:
XRP: A bridge asset for rapid cross-border payments.
USDC: A stable, regulated digital dollar widely adopted across crypto and TradFi.
RippleNet + On-Demand Liquidity (ODL): A real-time global payment network.
Metaco & Standard Custody: Institutional-grade digital asset storage.
Compliance Infrastructure: Regulatory licenses and frameworks from previous acquisitions (e.g., Fortress Trust).
This would make Ripple a one-stop solution for:
Cross-border settlements
Stablecoin issuance and payments
CBDC deployment
Tokenization of real-world assets
The combination of XRP (for speed and liquidity) and USDC (for price stability) would give Ripple control over both movement and storage of digital money. Think of Ripple becoming the Apple + Visa + SWIFT of finance: seamlessly integrated, fast, secure, and compliant.
What if Ripple Fails to Acquire Circle? Possible Plan B Targets
Should Ripple’s attempt to acquire Circle fall through, the company will likely seek to acquire or partner with a similar institution to maintain its strategic trajectory.
Here are the top candidates:
1. Paxos
Key Products: Pax Dollar (USDP), PayPal USD (PYUSD)
Why It Fits: Paxos has a strong regulatory foundation and existing partnerships with PayPal and Mastercard.
Ripple's Advantage: Acquiring Paxos would offer Ripple a U.S.-regulated, enterprise-ready stablecoin solution.
2. TrustToken (TrueUSD)
Key Products: TUSD, TAUD, TCAD, TGBP
Why It Fits: Offers a global basket of fiat-backed stablecoins that could help Ripple target multi-currency corridors.
Ripple's Advantage: Diversifies Ripple’s stablecoin offerings and boosts international payment flexibility.
3. Celo Network
Key Products: cUSD, cEUR
Why It Fits: Focused on mobile-first economies, especially in Latin America and Africa—matching Ripple’s long-term inclusion goals.
Ripple's Advantage: Opens emerging markets with a stablecoin infrastructure optimized for low-cost devices and mobile banking.
4. Anchorage Digital or Cross River Bank
Why It Fits: These firms have licenses and banking tech Ripple could use to issue its own stablecoin or service other digital asset firms.
Ripple's Advantage: Total control over issuance and compliance rails without relying on third parties.
Ripple’s Long-Term Strategy: The Internet of Value
Whether it acquires Circle or not, Ripple is building what it calls the Internet of Value:
Tokenize everything: Stocks, real estate, loyalty points, CBDCs
Move anything instantly: With XRP as a neutral bridge asset
Regulatory trust: With licensed custody and stablecoins
Global access: From institutional investors to mobile-first users in developing countries
With Circle, Ripple accelerates this vision by 3–5 years. Without it, Ripple still has the war chest, team, and roadmap to build or buy the missing pieces.
The Race to Be Financial Infrastructure
Ripple's vision goes beyond crypto — it's building the rails for a tokenized, compliant, and efficient global financial system. Whether through acquiring Circle or pursuing other firms like Paxos, TrustToken, or Celo, Ripple’s roadmap remains laser-focused on dominating global finance.
If successful, Ripple won’t just be a blockchain company — it will be the AWS of Finance, quietly powering trillions in daily value transfer behind the scenes.