As June kicked off, XRP surged to $2.25, sparking new hope among both analysts and retail traders. With Ripple’s regulatory clarity improving, steady progress on its RLUSD stablecoin, and swirling rumors about a potential Circle acquisition, XRP has once again become a focal point in the crypto world.
However, Ripple’s CEO has since denied any intentions to acquire Circle, the company behind USDC. This denial may shift attention back to Ripple’s own stablecoin efforts, as investors assess what this means for XRP’s trajectory.
Ripple CEO Denies Circle Takeover Rumors
At a conference held in Las Vegas, Ripple Labs’ CEO Brad Garlinghouse openly dismissed circulating rumors that his company was planning to acquire Circle. Speaking in front of an audience, Garlinghouse addressed the speculation head-on, putting an end to weeks of industry chatter. The discussion, moderated by Georgetown Law professor Chris Brummer, served as a formal platform for Ripple to clarify its position amid reports suggesting a multibillion-dollar acquisition offer had been made.
Garlinghouse emphasized that these claims were unfounded and reiterated Ripple’s focus on its own strategic goals. After the event, Brummer took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm that Garlinghouse was firm and clear in denying any intent to buy Circle, leaving little room for doubt. The CEO’s remarks have since helped settle some of the uncertainty surrounding Ripple’s plans and refocused attention on its existing projects.
Ripple’s Stablecoin Strategy with RLUSD
Speculation about Ripple’s acquisition moves has stemmed mainly from its growing involvement in the stablecoin arena. Looking back in December 2024, Ripple received the green light from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) to launch its own US dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD.
Engineered to function effortlessly on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum networks, RLUSD highlights Ripple’s goal to become a key player within the expanding decentralized finance (DeFi) landscape. Its built-in compatibility with two major blockchains offers RLUSD a unique edge, making it well-positioned to compete in the swiftly expanding market of asset-backed stablecoins.
Ripple’s Growth Strategy – Steady Expansion
Many expected Ripple to grow faster by buying Circle, the company behind USDC, which holds a big part of the market. But Ripple has clearly denied these rumors. Instead of quick growth through buying other companies, Ripple is focusing on slowly building up RLUSD’s use. This approach is also evident in Ripple’s recent acquisition of Hidden Road, a company specializing in digital asset technology, which suggests that Ripple prefers to strengthen itself from within rather than through large mergers.
Ripple’s Clarity Sparks XRP Price Surge
XRP’s rise to $2.26 reflects growing confidence in Ripple’s future, driven by clearer regulatory signals in key markets and expanding use cases. Its support for a native stablecoin and strong cross-border payment features have boosted XRP’s relevance, mainly as Ripple focuses on tokenizing real-world assets and enhancing settlement processes.
Earlier acquisition rumors caused some market fluctuations, but Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse’s firm denial helped calm uncertainty. This clearer outlook has contributed to price models showing more potential for growth, particularly if RLUSD gains broader adoption within the decentralized finance sector.
Final Thoughts
XRP’s recent price increase reflects growing confidence in Ripple as regulatory clarity improves and its stablecoin RLUSD makes steady progress. Rumors of Ripple acquiring Circle have been firmly denied by the company’s CEO, putting the focus back on Ripple’s growth plans. With the continued development of its stablecoin and payment solutions, Ripple is positioning XRP for further gains in the crypto market.
