Is Ripple Transforming into an “XRP Bank”?

In the context of the cryptocurrency market continuing to change rapidly, Ripple – a company long known for its pioneering role in the field of cross-border payments – is gradually moving towards a completely new direction. According to Hunter Horsley, CEO of Bitwise, Ripple may soon be known as an "XRP treasury company" within the next 12 months. Gigantic XRP Holdings – A New Strategic Resource of Ripple Currently, Ripple directly holds 4.56 billion XRP. In addition, the company indirectly controls about 37 billion XRP through smart contracts locked in the escrow system (escrow) on the blockchain. These amounts of XRP are not created by Ripple and are not actively controlled, but will be automatically released monthly according to a predetermined schedule on the chain. Overall, Ripple currently controls about 42% of the total supply of XRP – a figure that is extremely large and controversial within the cryptocurrency community. Some believe that with such a level of ownership, Ripple is no longer just a payment solution provider but is on its way to becoming a key financial entity – a "treasury" of the XRP ecosystem. Valuation of Ripple and Financial Potential from XRP Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, once admitted that the valuation of 11 billion USD for the company was no longer appropriate. Instead, he believes that the true value of Ripple should be calculated based on the amount of XRP the company holds – estimated to be around 100 billion USD, a figure that better reflects the financial strength Ripple possesses. This further highlights the growing role of Ripple as a digital asset management company, especially in the context of an increasing number of public enterprises viewing XRP as a strategic asset for capital storage. The Business Wave Rushes to Build XRP Reserves A new trend is emerging: many public companies are actively raising funds to build a treasury with XRP. Trident Digital Tech Holdings has announced plans to raise up to 500 million USD using XRP. Webus International is expected to establish a treasury worth 300 million USD. Companies like VivoPower International and Wellgistics Health have also raised 121 million XRP and 50 million XRP respectively to supplement their capital. A notable point is that Ripple's margin contracts allow for the periodic issuance of XRP, providing the necessary predictability and stability for financial planners – something that is very rare in the volatile world of cryptocurrency. Ripple – From Fintech Company to New Financial Institution? If the trend of accumulating XRP as a strategic asset continues to rise, Ripple could completely change the nature of its operations. No longer just a fintech company providing global payment solutions, Ripple may become a financial hub playing a key role in coordinating the global flow of XRP. Hunter Horsley stated that this change is not just a temporary trend, but could be a long-term strategic shift that reshapes Ripple's position in the blockchain industry. Conclusion With a massive amount of XRP and a wave of interest from public companies, Ripple is on the brink of a strategic transformation. If this momentum continues, Ripple will not only be the "patron" of XRP but could become the leading treasury hub of the entire $XRP ecosystem. {spot}(XRPUSDT)