Prime brokerage firm Hidden Road, reportedly in acquisition talks with Ripple, has successfully obtained registration with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), signaling a major step forward in its U.S. expansion strategy.
The FINRA approval officially registers Hidden Road as a broker-dealer, allowing the firm to operate within regulated financial markets in the United States. This milestone comes as speculation swirls over Ripple’s interest in acquiring the brokerage to bolster its infrastructure and compliance capabilities amid increasing scrutiny from U.S. regulators.
Although neither Ripple nor Hidden Road has confirmed the acquisition, industry insiders suggest that the move would align with Ripple’s broader ambitions to deepen its footprint in traditional finance and enhance institutional access to digital assets.
Hidden Road, known for offering prime brokerage services across traditional and digital asset markets, has rapidly gained prominence by providing institutional-grade trading infrastructure and risk management solutions. The FINRA registration is expected to further legitimize its presence in the U.S. and attract more institutional clients.
The development marks a strategic win for Ripple as it navigates ongoing regulatory challenges in the U.S., while also reinforcing its focus on global growth and integration between blockchain technology and traditional financial services.
