Metaco

Company overview

Ever tried explaining crypto custody to your grandma? It’s right up there with trying to explain NFTs to your dog. But make no mistake — behind every secure transfer of XRP, every institutional crypto trade, and every frictionless cross-border payment lies one key necessity: ironclad custody. That’s where Metaco comes in — not just another Swiss fintech startup with a fondness for fondue, but a powerhouse in digital asset security that’s now playing in the big leagues thanks to its acquisition by Ripple.

In May 2023, Ripple dropped a clean 0 million to acquire Metaco — and no, that wasn’t just for the chalet views. This strategic move was less about real estate and more about reinforcing Ripple’s already formidable presence in blockchain finance. Metaco’s platform is the Fort Knox of crypto custody, tailored for institutional players who need more than a Ledger Nano S and a prayer. And let’s be honest, in a world where one careless private key leak can vaporize millions, secure custody isn’t just optional — it’s existential.

So why does this matter for XRP investors? Because while price action might hog the headlines, infrastructure is what makes XRP truly scalable. Ripple’s acquisition of Metaco isn’t just a flex — it’s a foundational move that enhances the utility of XRP in global finance. Think of it as upgrading from a two-car garage to a biometric vault with laser tripwires. Institutions now have the tools to manage XRP and other digital assets with military-grade precision.

Metaco was founded in Switzerland — the land of chocolate, neutrality, and, apparently, elite crypto solutions. Long before Ripple came knocking, Metaco was already making waves with its Harmonize platform — a modular, policy-driven custody solution built for banks, asset managers, and fintechs. They weren’t just storing coins; they were enabling regulated institutions to integrate digital assets into their operations seamlessly.

What sets Metaco apart is its obsession with compliance and control. This isn’t your average “degen” wallet solution. We’re talking about programmable governance, role-based access, and bank-grade segregation of duties. Basically, if James Bond were a custodian, he’d use Metaco. And in an increasingly regulated environment, that’s exactly what institutional clients want — bulletproof custody without sacrificing agility.

And now, with Ripple in the picture, Metaco’s reach is expanding faster than a meme coin in a bull market. Ripple’s global network of financial institutions, liquidity providers, and payment corridors gives Metaco the kind of distribution most fintechs can only dream of. The result? XRP isn’t just a token — it’s a fully supported, institutionally viable asset backed by a custody infrastructure that regulators can actually get behind.

Let’s not overlook the timing either. The crypto industry has been screaming for mature infrastructure, especially after the FTX debacle and the regulatory crackdowns of 2023. Ripple’s acquisition of Metaco is a signal to the market: XRP is ready for prime time, and it’s bringing Swiss-grade security to the show.

Understanding Metaco and Its Impact on XRP

At its core, Metaco is more than a vault — it’s a full-stack orchestration platform that enables institutions to secure, manage, and transact digital assets with absolute control. The company’s flagship solution, Harmonize, integrates seamlessly with existing banking infrastructure, allowing financial institutions to adopt digital assets without overhauling their operations. This is huge for XRP, which thrives on interoperability and speed. With Metaco in play, Ripple can now offer institutional clients a turnkey solution for XRP custody — secure, compliant, and globally scalable.

What does this mean for the XRP ecosystem? It means doors are opening — fast. Banks, hedge funds, and asset managers that previously hesitated to hold XRP due to custody concerns now have a trusted, enterprise-grade solution. This enhanced trust could translate into increased XRP liquidity, deeper integration into cross-border payment systems, and ultimately, greater adoption across the fintech landscape. In short, Metaco is the missing piece that makes XRP not just tradable, but bankable.

• Institutional Confidence: Metaco provides the infrastructure that large institutions require to hold and transact XRP securely.
• Regulatory Alignment: Harmonize supports compliance with global regulations, making XRP custody viable in regulated markets.
• Operational Efficiency: Institutions can manage multi-asset portfolios (including XRP) within a single, secure framework.

With Ripple’s backing, Metaco is no longer a niche player — it’s the custody engine behind a global blockchain finance movement. And as XRP continues to position itself as the go-to solution for real-time, cross-border value transfer, having Metaco in the arsenal is like adding a titanium exoskeleton to an already agile machine.

At XRPAuthority.com, we’re just getting started unpacking the ripple effects (pun absolutely intended) of this acquisition. Whether you’re a seasoned XRP holder or a fintech visionary eyeing your next strategic move, stay locked in — because we’ll be covering every twist, turn, and custody upgrade. This is where the future of crypto meets serious infrastructure, and spoiler alert: XRP is right at the center of it.

Products and services

Metaco isn’t just selling a vault with a fancy GUI — it’s offering a full-blown digital asset command center for institutions that don’t mess around. At the heart of its offering is Harmonize, one of the most advanced orchestration platforms in the digital custody space. Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of crypto custody: it’s modular, scalable, and integrates seamlessly into the existing tech stacks of banks, asset managers, and fintech platforms. Harmonize isn’t just about storage — it’s about governance, compliance, and operational control, all wrapped in enterprise-grade encryption.

So, what exactly does Harmonize bring to the table? For starters, it allows institutions to securely manage the full lifecycle of digital assets — from cold storage to hot wallets, and every operational layer in between. But here’s the kicker: it’s fully programmable. That means institutions can automate workflows, set granular permissions, and enforce multi-signature approvals with ease. For XRP and RippleNet clients, this is a game-changer. Whether you’re a Tier 1 bank moving millions in XRP across jurisdictions or a regional payment processor handling microtransactions, Metaco gives you the control and compliance tools you need to scale securely.

• Multi-asset support: Harmonize isn’t XRP-exclusive — it supports a wide range of digital assets, enabling institutions to diversify without juggling multiple custody providers.
• Policy engine: Institutions can define and enforce complex governance policies — who can move assets, how much, and under what conditions — all without needing to write custom code.
• Bank-grade integrations: Harmonize plugs into core banking systems, SWIFT, and other legacy infrastructure, making it easier for traditional financial institutions to onboard digital assets like XRP.

But Metaco’s product suite doesn’t stop at Harmonize. It also includes APIs and SDKs that allow clients to build custom applications on top of its custody layer. Want to offer XRP staking (if and when it becomes available)? Or integrate real-time compliance checks into your trading desk? Metaco’s architecture makes that possible. It’s designed not just for today’s custody needs, but for tomorrow’s tokenized world — where everything from real estate to carbon credits might be represented on-chain.

And let’s not overlook the network effect Ripple brings to the equation. With RippleNet’s global footprint, Metaco’s services are now being deployed at scale, across continents. This means XRP can be stored, accessed, and transacted with confidence — whether you’re in New York, Zurich, or Singapore. It’s the kind of infrastructure that builds liquidity, reduces friction, and ultimately, drives adoption in institutional finance.

In short, Metaco’s products aren’t just keeping XRP safe — they’re making it usable, auditable, and scalable in a regulatory-first world. And that’s the kind of functionality the next generation of blockchain finance demands. If you’re looking to understand where XRP fits into the institutional puzzle, look no further than the services Metaco is rolling out with surgical precision.

Partnerships and clients

Metaco isn’t just building tech in a vacuum — it’s forging strategic alliances with some of the most influential names in global finance. Before Ripple stepped in with a 0 million handshake, Metaco was already quietly embedding itself into the operational DNA of global banks, custodians, and financial infrastructure providers. Think of it as the fintech equivalent of being the band that every major label wants to sign — except instead of dropping beats, they’re dropping bank-grade custody solutions for digital assets like XRP.

Some of Metaco’s most high-profile partnerships include collaborations with BBVA Switzerland, Standard Chartered’s Zodia Custody, and UnionBank of the Philippines. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill crypto startups — we’re talking about centuries-old institutions that have survived wars, recessions, and now, the digital asset revolution. Their adoption of Metaco’s Harmonize platform signals a clear shift: traditional finance isn’t just flirting with blockchain — it’s putting a ring on it.

• BBVA Switzerland: One of the first major banks in Europe to launch crypto trading and custody services using Metaco’s platform — with XRP as part of its supported assets.
• Zodia Custody (Standard Chartered): A regulated digital asset custodian leveraging Metaco’s stack to offer secure storage solutions to institutional clients across Europe and Asia.
• UnionBank of the Philippines: A top-tier bank that’s integrating XRP custody into its core systems, enabling blockchain-based remittances and digital asset services for millions of users.

These client wins go beyond logos on a pitch deck — they represent real-world use cases for XRP in regulated environments. Through Metaco, Ripple is now embedded in the infrastructure of institutions that manage trillions in assets. That’s not just good news for XRP holders — it’s a validation of XRP’s utility in real-world finance. With every new client onboarding, Metaco extends the reach of RippleNet and deepens the liquidity pool for XRP.

And it’s not just about big banks. Metaco is also working with fintechs and digital asset platforms that are building the next generation of financial services. From neobanks looking to offer XRP wallets to institutional trading desks building tokenized portfolios, Metaco’s client base is a who’s who of blockchain-forward innovators. These partnerships aren’t just expanding XRP’s footprint — they’re embedding it into the plumbing of the new financial system.

What’s more, the integration of Metaco’s solutions into existing client infrastructures means XRP can now be transacted with the same level of trust and compliance as traditional fiat currencies. That’s a huge win for institutions that have been sitting on the crypto sidelines, waiting for a custody solution that checks every regulatory box. Thanks to Metaco, the excuses are running out — and the doors to XRP adoption are swinging wide open.

At XRPAuthority.com, we’re tracking every one of these partnerships because each one represents a new on-ramp for XRP — a new use case, a new corridor, a new layer of legitimacy. These aren’t just clients; they’re co-architects of the blockchain finance future. And with Metaco at the center of the custody conversation, XRP is no longer a speculative asset — it’s a strategic tool for institutional finance.

Security and compliance

If there’s one thing that keeps institutional investors up at night — aside from volatile meme coins and regulatory ambiguity — it’s the fear of security breaches. We’re not talking about some rogue intern tweeting out a wallet address. We’re talking billion-dollar risks, compliance nightmares, and brand-destroying headlines. That’s why Metaco’s laser focus on security and regulatory compliance isn’t just impressive — it’s essential for the institutional adoption of XRP and other digital assets.

Metaco operates on a zero-trust architecture, meaning every interaction is verified, authenticated, and logged — no assumptions, no shortcuts. From hardware security modules (HSMs) to secure multi-party computation (MPC), Metaco’s custody framework is engineered with the same rigor you’d expect from a Tier 1 bank or a national defense system. This isn’t your average hot wallet setup; it’s a digital asset security fortress designed to withstand everything from insider threats to quantum computing (okay, maybe not quite yet, but they’re thinking ahead).

What makes it even more compelling is how Metaco aligns with Ripple’s compliance-heavy strategy. Ripple has long operated with one foot in the crypto world and the other in the regulated financial system. That balancing act demands custody solutions that can meet the strictest standards — think GDPR, MiFID II, FATF Travel Rule, and more acronyms than a CIA memo. Metaco brings that to the table with:

• Full auditability: Every transaction and policy change is immutably recorded, ensuring traceability and transparency — a must-have for auditors and regulators.
• Granular access controls: Role-based permissions and multi-approval workflows reduce the risk of internal compromise and ensure operational integrity.
• Regulatory adaptability: Harmonize can be configured to comply with jurisdiction-specific laws, making it ideal for global institutions managing XRP across borders.

Let’s not forget about certifications. Metaco has gone the extra mile, securing ISO 27001 certification for information security management and aligning with SOC 2 standards for data integrity and confidentiality. That’s not just a checkbox exercise — it signals to banks and regulators that this is a partner they can trust. And when you’re moving millions in XRP for cross-border settlements or tokenizing assets on-chain, trust isn’t optional — it’s currency.

But here’s where it gets interesting for XRP investors: this level of security and compliance doesn’t just protect assets — it amplifies adoption. Institutions that were once hesitant to dip their toes into crypto now have a secure, compliant pathway to hold and transact XRP. It’s no exaggeration to say that Metaco’s infrastructure is turning XRP from a speculative asset into a regulated financial instrument. That’s a seismic shift, and it’s one that has the potential to unlock trillions in institutional capital.

In a world where headlines about hacks, rug pulls, and regulatory smackdowns dominate the crypto news cycle, Metaco and Ripple are quietly building the infrastructure that makes digital assets — especially XRP — viable for the long haul. They’re not just meeting compliance standards; they’re setting them. And for investors who believe in XRP’s role in the future of blockchain finance, that’s the kind of foundation worth betting on.

At XRPAuthority.com, we’re here to translate the complex into the actionable — helping you understand not just what’s happening in the XRP ecosystem, but why it matters. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or a fintech executive exploring enterprise-grade custody, you’ve found your trusted source. Stay with us as we continue to decode the infrastructure powering the next wave of blockchain finance — one secure, compliant transaction at a time.