Metaco

Company overview

Ever wondered what happens when a Swiss vault meets Silicon Valley innovation? No, this isn’t the plot of a fintech heist movie—though it should be. This is the real-life story of Metaco, the crypto custody powerhouse that Ripple scooped up in May 2023 for a cool 0 million. That’s right, a quarter of a billion dollars. Because when it comes to safeguarding digital assets like XRP, you don’t want your security infrastructure to be anything less than bulletproof—and maybe even Swiss-certified.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Matt, why should I care about custody? I’m here to trade, not babysit wallets.” But here’s the kicker—without institutional-grade custody, none of this works. No banks diving into blockchain. No cross-border XRP settlements. No tokenized assets on enterprise ledgers. In short, custody is the silent backbone of blockchain finance. And Metaco? It’s the spinal cord of Ripple’s expanding enterprise toolkit.

Founded in Lausanne, Switzerland—yes, the land of chocolate, watches, and now crypto custody—Metaco has been quietly building the digital safes that protect billions in digital assets. And not just any assets. We’re talking about highly-regulated, enterprise-grade custody for central banks, tier-one financial institutions, and now, RippleNet partners who want to securely manage XRP and other digital currencies without losing sleep at night.

Metaco specializes in harmonizing traditional finance security protocols with the decentralized ethos of blockchain. That means it’s not just building crypto vaults; it’s integrating with core banking infrastructure. Translation? It’s making it possible for your bank to store XRP like it stores fiat—securely, compliantly, and with full operational control.

Before Ripple came knocking, Metaco had already partnered with major names like BBVA, Citibank, and DZ Bank. That wasn’t by accident. Banks trust Metaco because it doesn’t just store crypto—it does so with a level of governance, compliance, and security that aligns with global financial regulations. That’s a big deal, especially when Ripple is trying to onboard more financial institutions into its ecosystem.

Why did Ripple drop 0 million on this Swiss gem? Simple. Ripple is playing chess, not checkers. By integrating Metaco’s institutional-grade custody tech, Ripple is now equipped to offer end-to-end blockchain finance infrastructure—from liquidity to tokenization to secure asset storage. XRP isn’t just a payment rail anymore; it’s part of a full-stack, enterprise-ready solution that can rival anything in the traditional financial sector.

And let’s not forget the timing. With regulatory spotlights shining bright and institutional appetite growing for digital assets, having a custody solution that ticks all the compliance boxes is no longer optional—it’s mission-critical. Metaco gives Ripple that edge. It’s not just about storing XRP; it’s about making XRP usable, manageable, and secure at scale.

Understanding Metaco and Its Impact on XRP

So how does Metaco change the game for XRP? Let’s break it down. Metaco’s platform, Harmonize, enables secure orchestration of digital assets across multiple platforms and jurisdictions. For XRP, this means banks and institutions can now custody, trade, and manage XRP holdings with the same confidence they have in handling fiat currencies or securities. That’s not just a win—it’s a tectonic shift in how XRP is perceived and utilized in global finance.

By bringing Metaco under its wing, Ripple isn’t just bolstering its custody capabilities—it’s laying the groundwork for XRP to thrive in a regulated, institutional environment. This is especially crucial as RippleNet evolves beyond payments into full-scale digital asset management. With Metaco, Ripple can now offer a secure, compliant way to store and manage XRP and other assets, enabling:

• Tokenization of real-world assets on the XRP Ledger with institutional-grade custody
• Secure settlement and storage of XRP for central banks and financial institutions
• Integration with traditional financial systems for seamless asset management

Let’s be real—crypto custody isn’t sexy. But it’s foundational. And by owning Metaco, Ripple ensures that XRP has a robust, secure, and scalable infrastructure to support its mission: transforming global finance through blockchain. Whether it’s enabling cross-border payments, tokenizing real estate, or offering decentralized liquidity pools, XRP now has the institutional-grade armor it needs to play in the big leagues.

Want to stay ahead of the curve and ride the next wave of XRP adoption? Then you’re already in the right place. At XRPAuthority.com, we don’t just follow the news—we break it down, analyze it, and turn it into actionable insights. Because in the world of crypto, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s profit. Stick with us, and let’s build the future of blockchain finance together, one XRP at a time.

Products and services

Metaco isn’t just a digital vault—it’s a full-blown command center for institutional digital asset operations. The star of the show is Harmonize, Metaco’s flagship orchestration platform that’s quietly become the backbone for banks and financial institutions dipping their toes into the crypto waters. Harmonize is like the Swiss Army knife of digital asset management: modular, scalable, and built with the kind of fine-tuned precision that only a Swiss company could deliver.

What makes Harmonize so powerful? It’s not just about locking up XRP in a virtual vault and throwing away the key. This platform enables institutions to securely orchestrate the entire lifecycle of digital assets—across custody, trading, tokenization, staking, and even governance. It supports both hot and cold wallet infrastructures, integrates with hardware security modules (HSMs), and plugs directly into existing core banking and treasury systems. In other words, it empowers financial giants to treat digital assets like first-class citizens in their infrastructure stack.

• Multi-asset support: From XRP to tokenized real-world assets, Harmonize supports a wide range of digital assets and blockchains.
• Policy-based governance: Enforces compliance and operational controls through customizable workflows tailored to enterprise risk policies.
• Seamless integration: Harmonizes with legacy banking systems, allowing institutions to manage XRP and other tokens alongside fiat operations.
• Cloud-agnostic deployment: On-premise, hybrid, or cloud-native—Metaco meets institutions where they are, not the other way around.

But wait, there’s more. Metaco also provides what I like to call “custody with a conscience.” Through advanced key management and zero-trust architecture, it ensures that not even Metaco has access to customer assets. That’s a big deal when you’re dealing with clients who manage billions in assets and have compliance officers who could detect a decimal error from across the room.

Another standout offering? Metaco Institutional Staking. As staking continues to evolve into a core revenue stream for institutional players, Metaco enables secure staking solutions that integrate directly with their custody workflows. Whether it’s earning yield on idle XRP (once staking becomes available on the XRPL) or managing validator nodes for other proof-of-stake assets, Metaco’s infrastructure is built to scale with institutional demand.

And let’s not overlook the growing appetite for tokenization. With Harmonize, institutions can issue, manage, and settle tokenized assets—whether that’s real estate, carbon credits, or Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). This positions XRP and the XRP Ledger as serious contenders in the future of digital capital markets, where value doesn’t just move faster—it moves smarter.

In effect, Metaco’s suite of services isn’t just elevating crypto custody—it’s redefining it. It’s giving Ripple the tools to offer a complete blockchain finance stack, where XRP isn’t just a utility token—it’s a programmable, secure, and institutionally-managed asset. That’s not just innovation—it’s evolution.

Partnerships and collaborations

If you think Metaco is just some Swiss tech firm quietly crunching code in the Alps, think again. This company has been networking harder than a VC at a blockchain summit. Long before Ripple’s acquisition, Metaco had already positioned itself as a trusted technology partner for some of the world’s most respected financial institutions. And in crypto, trust is the new currency.

Let’s start with the heavyweights—Metaco’s client roster reads like a who’s who of global banking. We’re talking about names like BBVA, Citibank, DZ Bank, and Standard Chartered. These aren’t your average DeFi degens; they’re legacy institutions with decades (if not centuries) of regulatory baggage and operational scrutiny. For them to choose Metaco as their digital asset custody provider says a lot. It speaks volumes about the platform’s ability to meet the strictest security, compliance, and governance requirements, all while providing the flexibility needed to explore blockchain finance.

But here’s where it gets really interesting for XRP holders: each of these partnerships directly or indirectly expands the touchpoints where XRP can be safely stored, traded, or tokenized. As these banks explore tokenization of real-world assets or launch pilot programs for cross-border payments, Metaco’s infrastructure ensures that XRP can be part of the conversation—securely and compliantly.

• BBVA: Leveraged Metaco to launch digital asset custody services in Switzerland, a jurisdiction known for its crypto-forward regulations.
• Citibank: Partnered with Metaco to develop institutional-grade custody for digital assets, signaling serious intent to enter the tokenized securities space.
• DZ Bank: One of Germany’s largest banks, selected Metaco to support its digital asset strategy—further legitimizing crypto in the heart of Europe’s financial system.

And let’s not forget Ripple itself. The acquisition turned Metaco from a vendor into an in-house strategic asset. This opens the door for deeper integration with RippleNet, On-Demand Liquidity (ODL), and future iterations of enterprise blockchain solutions. Think about the possibilities: a central bank piloting a CBDC on the XRP Ledger, safeguarded by Metaco’s infrastructure. Or a multinational corporation using Ripple’s liquidity platform with XRP, knowing its assets are securely custodied by Metaco’s Harmonize engine. It’s not just synergy—it’s a flywheel for institutional adoption.

Metaco also plays nicely with other fintech innovators. Collaborations with firms specializing in compliance automation, KYC/AML, and token issuance platforms allow Metaco to offer a plug-and-play ecosystem for institutions diving into blockchain finance. This composability is critical for onboarding the next wave of financial players who want to integrate crypto into their operations without reinventing the wheel—or getting burned by a lack of custody controls.

In a world where partnerships can make or break a project, Metaco has built a Rolodex that turns heads. And with Ripple now steering the ship, the opportunities for XRP to become a staple of institutional-grade blockchain finance just got a lot more real. If you’re wondering where the next wave of XRP utility is coming from, look no further than the high-level handshakes Metaco has already brokered—and the ones Ripple is now powering forward.

Security and compliance

Let’s talk about the elephant in the blockchain room: security. Or, more specifically, the lack thereof in many parts of the crypto ecosystem. From multi-million dollar exchange hacks to private key mismanagement horror stories, the digital asset space has had its fair share of cautionary tales. But Metaco? It’s the antithesis of chaos—it’s Swiss-grade order in a space notorious for volatility. And that’s exactly why Ripple brought it into the fold. Because when you’re pitching XRP to central banks and Tier-1 institutions, “pretty secure” just doesn’t cut it.

Metaco’s security architecture is no Band-Aid-on-a-breach solution. It’s a meticulously engineered system built from the ground up to meet the highest standards of digital asset protection. We’re talking about a zero-trust framework, end-to-end encryption, hardware security modules (HSMs), and multi-party computation (MPC). These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the tools that make institutional stakeholders nod approvingly in compliance meetings. And for Ripple, that means XRP is now backed by a custody solution that speaks the same security language as major financial regulators.

When it comes to compliance, Metaco doesn’t just check boxes—it builds the boxes. Harmonize, its flagship platform, offers native support for regulatory controls, including AML (anti-money laundering), KYC (know your customer), and audit trails that would make an SEC examiner weep tears of joy. This is essential for financial institutions operating in jurisdictions with strict regulatory frameworks. With Harmonize, Ripple can offer a custody solution that aligns with:

• Basel III and IV standards for risk management and capital requirements
• MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulations in the EU
• SEC and CFTC guidance in the United States
• FATF Travel Rule compliance for cross-border asset transfers

And here’s where things get even more interesting for XRP holders: Metaco’s compliance-first architecture means that XRP is now positioned to be held and transacted in regulated environments—without triggering red flags. In other words, XRP just got a passport to institutional finance. Banks can custody it. Asset managers can integrate it. Regulators can audit it. That’s the trifecta you need to scale blockchain finance responsibly and sustainably.

Let’s not ignore the elephant’s cousin: operational risk. Metaco’s platform minimizes human error by enforcing policy-based governance at every level. This means institutions can set granular access controls, automate transaction approvals, and implement segregation of duties—all while maintaining full auditability. For institutions handling millions or billions in XRP, this is more than a feature—it’s a non-negotiable requirement.

And just in case you’re wondering how all this security and compliance translates in the real world, remember this: Metaco already has the seal of approval from some of the most heavily regulated banks in Europe. That’s not just a nice-to-have—that’s a testament to the strength of its architecture. With Ripple’s acquisition, that same infrastructure is now supercharging XRP’s enterprise use cases across custody, payments, and tokenized assets.

So, what does this all mean for you, the savvy crypto investor or fintech professional? It means XRP isn’t just secure—it’s institutionally viable. And in a market where compliance is king and security is table stakes, Metaco ensures that Ripple and XRP aren’t just keeping up—they’re setting the standard. The future of blockchain finance is safe, compliant, and ready for prime time. And guess what? It’s got XRP written all over it.