Date: [Insert Date]
Written By: Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
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**Forbes Dramatically Shifts Stance on XRP and Ripple: A $180 Billion Reinvention**
Forbes has dramatically shifted its stance on XRP and Ripple, describing the company as almost unrecognizable compared to the version profiled in early 2024. Back then, XRP and Ripple topped Forbes’ list of “zombie blockchain” projects—billion-dollar valuations with supposedly minimal real-world usage.
Today, however, Forbes calls Ripple’s transformation a “$180 billion reinvention,” driven by strategic acquisitions, regulatory clarity, and a surge of institutional interest in XRP.
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### Company Once Dismissed, Now Revalued
Forbes highlights that Ripple’s private market valuation has soared to around triple its starting point for the year, reaching the $22-$30 billion range. This places Ripple just shy of Circle’s market cap—a notable turnaround considering Ripple previously attempted (and failed) to acquire Circle before the stablecoin issuer went public.
Moreover, XRP itself has surged 366% in the last year, pushing its market cap above $150 billion. Importantly, this renewed demand is not fueled by speculation alone. According to Forbes, multiple firms—including Evernorth—are adopting XRP as part of their treasury strategies, which would have been unthinkable during Ripple’s earlier regulatory battles.
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### Freed From the SEC, Ripple Goes on an Acquisition Spree
Ripple’s prolonged five-year standoff with the SEC ended with a $125 million settlement, removing a cloud that had limited its options for half a decade. Once free, Ripple accelerated its strategy by making aggressive, high-value acquisitions:
– GTreasury — $1 billion
– Hidden Road (now Ripple Prime) — $1.25 billion
– Rail — $200 million
– Metaco — $250 million
– Standard Custody — undisclosed amount
These deals have pushed Ripple into treasury management, custody, and prime brokerage—areas traditionally dominated by companies like Coinbase and Circle.
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### Redirect in Leadership, Strategy, and Perception
Forbes now frames Ripple not as a struggling payment token issuer, but as a consolidating financial services conglomerate. Industry figures note a visible difference in the company’s approach.
Commentators like Joe Naggar believe Ripple is demonstrating capital discipline, clearer leadership, and better coordination across its expanding portfolio. Some analysts now compare Ripple less to individual blockchains and more to large crypto financial institutions.
They suggest Ripple’s well-established technology could become the backbone of a unified, institutional-level ecosystem—if the company can successfully integrate its recent acquisitions.
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### Can Ripple’s Expansion Feed Value Back Into XRP?
While the XRP Ledger still trails major networks in developer activity and mainstream app usage, Forbes points to the bigger test ahead: synergy.
Ripple needs to prove that its rapid expansion ultimately strengthens the XRP Ledger, rather than creating isolated business units with no connection.
Ultimately, critics now acknowledge that Ripple is a very different beast—bigger, bolder, and acting as the multibillion-dollar player it has long been valued as.
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**Disclaimer:**
This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic’s viewpoint. Readers are encouraged to perform thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
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### About the Author
**Abdulkarim Abdulwahab** is a seasoned crypto journalist who has established himself as a trusted voice in the blockchain and Web3 space. His extensive knowledge enables him to break down complex concepts into accessible language.
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Stay tuned for more updates and expert analysis as the crypto market evolves.
https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/10/31/forbes-says-xrp-is-now-a-very-different-beast-than-it-was-just-a-year-ago/
