Ripple Takes on the Crypto Custody Market with Metaco

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The institutional crypto custody market is poised for explosive growth, projected to reach an estimated $10 trillion by 2030. As digital assets become increasingly embedded in mainstream finance, secure and compliant custody solutions are emerging as a foundational pillar for enterprise adoption. Recent research from Ripple reveals that a majority of global financial leaders at institutions and corporations plan to integrate crypto custody solutions into their operations within the next three years—most relying on third-party providers to ensure safety, scalability, and regulatory alignment.

This growing demand sets the stage for a pivotal shift in how enterprises manage digital assets—and Ripple is stepping forward with a bold strategic move.

Ripple and Metaco: A Strategic Powerhouse in Crypto Custody

Ripple has officially entered the institutional custody arena through its acquisition of Metaco, a Swiss-based leader in digital asset custody and tokenization technology. This merger unites two pioneers with deep roots in enterprise blockchain innovation, shared values in security and compliance, and a proven track record of serving regulated financial institutions.

Both companies bring complementary strengths: Ripple’s expansive global network of over 500 financial institutions and its expertise in cross-border payments, liquidity solutions, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), combined with Metaco’s mission-critical infrastructure trusted by top-tier banks, custodians, and multinational corporations.

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With this acquisition, Ripple significantly expands its enterprise solution suite, enabling clients to securely custody, issue, and settle any form of tokenized asset—ranging from digital currencies to tokenized securities, stablecoins, and beyond. For Metaco, the partnership unlocks accelerated growth through Ripple’s capital resources, global reach, and established go-to-market channels.

“Metaco is a proven leader in institutional digital asset custody with an exceptional executive bench and a truly unmatched customer track record,” said Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple. “Through the strength of our balance sheet and financial position, Ripple will continue pressing our advantage in the areas critical to crypto infrastructure. Bringing on Metaco is monumental for our growing product suite and expanding global footprint.”

The Next Evolution of Enterprise Crypto Solutions

Ripple’s decade-long journey has been defined by solving complex financial challenges using blockchain technology. From revolutionizing cross-border payments to advancing CBDC development and crypto liquidity management, the company has consistently focused on real-world enterprise use cases.

Now, with the integration of Metaco’s technology, Ripple is entering its next evolutionary phase: end-to-end tokenization infrastructure.

At the core of Metaco’s offering is Harmonize™, a modular, interoperable platform recognized as the institutional standard for digital asset custody and tokenization. Harmonize enables financial institutions to:

Today, Metaco’s solutions are deployed across key financial hubs including Switzerland, Germany, the United States, Singapore, the UK, France, Hong Kong, Australia, and the Philippines—making it one of the most globally adopted custody infrastructures in the industry.

Sagar Shah, Head of Custody at Ripple, emphasized the strategic fit:
“Metaco’s technology, product-market fit, customer base, and unparalleled team make them the perfect partner for Ripple as we look to provide critical crypto infrastructure to enterprises. We’re excited to support Metaco as they continue to deliver the same high-quality products and services their team has become known for while enabling their business to scale faster and more efficiently.”

Why Institutional Custody Matters Now More Than Ever

As digital assets transition from speculative instruments to core components of financial portfolios, institutions require robust systems to protect value, ensure auditability, and comply with evolving regulations. Unlike retail wallets, institutional custody demands:

Metaco’s architecture is built from the ground up to meet these requirements—making it a trusted choice for some of the world’s largest custodians and financial intermediaries.

Adrien Treccani, Founder and CEO of Metaco, shared his vision:
“Our mission has always been to enable institutions to thrive in the digital asset economy with the help of our core infrastructure and expertise, and we are delighted to join forces with the team at Ripple, who share that passion. This deal will enable Metaco to leverage Ripple’s scale and market strength to reach our goals and deliver value to our clients at a faster pace. We look forward to continuing to serve unprecedented levels of institutional demand with the utmost excellence in delivery, as our clients have come to expect.”

👉 See how leading institutions are securing their digital asset futures today.

Industry Momentum: The Rise of Crypto Custody

Ripple’s move reflects a broader trend: traditional financial giants are rapidly embracing crypto custody as a strategic imperative.

These developments underscore a fundamental shift: crypto custody is no longer a niche service but a core component of modern financial infrastructure.

Core Keywords Driving the Narrative

This transformation is powered by several key themes:

These keywords not only define current market dynamics but also reflect long-term trends shaping the future of finance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is crypto custody, and why is it important for enterprises?
A: Crypto custody refers to secure storage and management solutions for digital assets. For enterprises, it ensures protection against theft, fraud, and operational risk while supporting compliance with financial regulations.

Q: How does Metaco’s Harmonize™ platform enhance Ripple’s offerings?
A: Harmonize provides a scalable, API-first infrastructure that enables institutions to custody, issue, and manage tokenized assets across multiple blockchains—integrating seamlessly with Ripple’s existing enterprise solutions.

Q: Will Metaco continue operating independently under Ripple?
A: While integrated into Ripple’s enterprise division, Metaco will maintain its product integrity and continue serving clients with the same high standards of security and service excellence.

Q: Is this acquisition focused only on cryptocurrency custody?
A: No. The combined solution supports all types of tokenized assets—including stablecoins, security tokens, NFTs used in finance, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

Q: How does this impact global regulatory compliance?
A: Both Ripple and Metaco have strong compliance frameworks. The unified platform is designed to operate across regulated jurisdictions, supporting audit trails, KYC/AML processes, and reporting standards.

Q: What industries stand to benefit most from this integration?
A: Banking institutions, asset managers, fintechs, payment providers, and government entities exploring digital transformation will gain powerful tools for managing next-generation financial assets.

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The Road Ahead

As tokenization reshapes how value is created, transferred, and stored, the need for secure, interoperable custody infrastructure has never been greater. Ripple’s acquisition of Metaco positions the company at the forefront of this transformation—offering institutions a comprehensive suite of tools to navigate the digital asset economy with confidence.

From enabling new revenue streams to reducing settlement times and enhancing transparency, this strategic integration marks a significant milestone in the maturation of crypto infrastructure.

For businesses ready to embrace the future of finance, the message is clear: enterprise-grade crypto custody isn't just coming—it's already here.