Ripple has quietly pulled off what might be one of its most impactful strategic moves to date—and the implications for XRP could be enormous. With the acquisition of Hidden Road, a prime brokerage firm registered with the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (FICC), Ripple has gained indirect access to a staggering $11 trillion in daily clearing volume. But could this open the floodgates for XRP adoption and push its price to the elusive $20 mark? Let’s unpack what this could mean for the future of Ripple and its native token.
The Hidden Road Factor: What Just Happened?
The revelation didn’t come from a press release but from an observant community member named Matthew. What he uncovered has sent ripples (no pun intended) through the XRP community. Hidden Road, now under Ripple’s wing, is a prime brokerage firm connected to the FICC, specifically its Government Securities Division (GSD). For context, this division processes massive volumes of Treasury bonds, repos, and other financial securities—over $11 trillion worth daily, according to Q1 2025 reports.
If Ripple’s infrastructure—especially the XRP Ledger (XRPL), its native token XRP, and the new RLUSD stablecoin—plays even a minor role in facilitating these transactions, we could be looking at a game-changing scenario for XRP holders.
Why XRP Isn’t Replacing Dollars Just Yet
Let’s be clear: Ripple isn’t going to use XRP to settle all $11 trillion in daily transactions. That’s simply not feasible. Even if Ripple tried to route just $1 trillion of that through XRP, the supply required would vastly exceed the token’s 100 billion cap. So what’s realistic?
Ripple’s real play here is about settlements infrastructure—leveraging RLUSD for stable fiat settlement and using XRP as a fee token. While RLUSD might take center stage in terms of volume processing, XRP would still serve a critical role in burning transaction fees. It’s not glamorous, but it could become very lucrative long-term.
Three Adoption Scenarios for XRP
Let’s run some hypotheticals:
- Scenario 1 – Minimal Adoption (1% of $11T):
Even if just 1% of daily volume (~$110B) flows through XRPL, it would lead to around 110,000 transactions per day. With each transaction burning 0.00001 XRP, that equates to only 1.1 XRP burned daily. Not enough to shock the market, but the utility narrative starts to grow. - Scenario 2 – Moderate Adoption (5% of $11T):
This scenario leads to around 550,000 daily transactions and 5.5 XRP burned daily. Still negligible supply-wise, but a clear increase in XRPL utility could draw institutional liquidity, nudging XRP toward the $10–$15 zone. - Scenario 3 – Aggressive Adoption (10%+):
Over 1 million daily transactions would result in roughly 10 XRP burned per day. It’s not the burn that matters here—it’s the network effect. If hedge funds and banks start using XRPL en masse, XRP’s role as a bridge currency could finally justify a $20+ price target.
Can XRP Really Hit $20?
Technically, yes—but not because of token burns. The bigger picture is institutional adoption, network effects, and speculative momentum. Ripple’s past runs have shown us that hype, when combined with strong fundamentals, can catapult XRP into double-digit territory. In 2017, XRP exploded from under a cent to over $3 purely on speculative buzz. In 2021, institutional buzz pushed Bitcoin to new all-time highs. History shows crypto doesn’t always move rationally—but it does move.
The Roadblocks Ahead
Still, it won’t be a smooth ride:
- Regulatory uncertainty continues to cast a shadow despite Ripple’s partial win over the SEC.
- RLUSD’s prominence might push XRP into a background role, minimizing its direct use.
- Macroeconomic headwinds could delay bullish momentum if institutional appetite wanes during market downturns.
Outlook: 2025 and Beyond
If Ripple can successfully onboard Hidden Road’s infrastructure into XRPL:
- Short-term (2025–2026): Expect speculation-driven price action between $5 and $10, driven by narrative hype and ecosystem growth.
- Long-term (2027–2030): If adoption deepens and XRP becomes a go-to bridge for global settlements, a $20+ XRP isn’t out of the question.
Final Thoughts
Ripple’s Hidden Road acquisition isn’t just another headline—it’s a strategic move that opens doors to one of the largest daily transaction volumes on the planet. The road to $20 XRP is long and full of variables, but the opportunity is real. Whether XRP capitalizes on this or takes a backseat to RLUSD remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Ripple is no longer playing small ball.
