Metaco

Company overview

Let’s be honest — most people don’t wake up in the morning dreaming about crypto custody. But maybe they should. Because in the wild world of blockchain finance, where billions can vanish in the blink of a phishing link, custody is king. And in May 2023, Ripple made a bold move by acquiring one of the kings of crypto custody: Metaco. If you’ve never heard of Metaco, don’t worry — you’re about to understand why this Swiss-based firm is quietly becoming the Fort Knox of digital assets.

Why would Ripple, already a titan in the blockchain payments space, shell out 0 million for a company that doesn’t even issue a token? Simple: security, scalability, and institutional-grade infrastructure. Metaco isn’t just another startup with a slick UI and vague promises. It’s a battle-tested platform trusted by big banks, asset managers, and regulated financial institutions — the types of players who don’t take risks lightly. And now, it’s part of Ripple’s arsenal.

For XRP investors, this isn’t just another acquisition. It’s a strategic leap. If XRP is the high-speed rail of global finance, Metaco is the state-of-the-art vault that ensures every ticket, transaction, and token is secure. As blockchain finance matures, custody is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s the backbone of adoption — especially among enterprise clients who demand compliance, governance, and total control over their digital assets.

Metaco was founded in 2015 in Lausanne, Switzerland — a country that’s basically the Switzerland of regulatory stability (because… it is). From the outset, Metaco focused on building secure, compliant infrastructure for institutional digital asset custody. While most crypto firms were busy launching coins and chasing hype, Metaco was quietly working with Tier 1 banks to deliver real-world blockchain solutions. That long game is now paying off.

Its flagship product, Harmonize, is a digital asset orchestration platform that allows institutions to tokenize, store, trade, and manage crypto assets at scale. This isn’t some off-the-shelf wallet software; it’s a comprehensive custody solution that integrates seamlessly with traditional core banking systems. Think of it as the bridge between old-school finance and the decentralized future — exactly what Ripple needs to bring XRP into the heart of the global financial system.

And let’s not ignore the geopolitical chessboard here. By anchoring its custody operations in Switzerland — a jurisdiction known for its neutrality and progressive crypto regulations — Ripple gains a strategic advantage. It’s a signal to institutional clients that Ripple is doubling down on regulatory clarity and enterprise-grade trust. Even more crucially, it positions XRP to thrive in a world where compliance isn’t optional, it’s essential.

In short, Metaco isn’t just a company. It’s Ripple’s Trojan Horse into the institutional custody space — and a key pillar in the ongoing evolution of XRP from a fast remittance token to a full-fledged player in global finance, trading, and fintech infrastructure.

Understanding Metaco and Its Impact on XRP

So what does this mean for XRP holders and blockchain investors? Quite a bit. Metaco’s integration into Ripple’s ecosystem directly enhances Ripple’s ability to offer institutional-grade custody solutions for XRP and other digital assets. That opens the door to new use cases, deeper liquidity, and an influx of enterprise adoption — the holy trinity for any crypto asset aspiring to global scale.

By embedding Metaco’s Harmonize platform, Ripple now provides secure, compliant custody infrastructure that satisfies the stringent requirements of banks, asset managers, and central banks. That’s not just good for XRP — it’s transformative. It means XRP can be held and managed by the same players who handle trillions of dollars in traditional assets. And that’s how real institutional adoption happens.

• Enables secure, multi-asset custody for XRP alongside other tokens
• Strengthens Ripple’s regulatory posture through Swiss-based infrastructure
• Facilitates tokenization and digital asset management for banks and fintechs
• Boosts confidence for institutional investors seeking custody-grade solutions

Whether you’re a seasoned crypto investor or just XRP-curious, one thing is clear — the future of blockchain finance is institutional, and custody is the gateway. With Metaco in its corner, Ripple isn’t just building bridges — it’s locking down the vaults. And that’s a bullish signal for anyone betting on XRP’s long-term utility and adoption.

At XRPAuthority.com, we’re tracking this evolution in real time — dissecting moves like the Metaco acquisition and what they mean for the XRP ecosystem. If you want cutting-edge insights, deep-dive analysis, and zero fluff, you’re in the right place. The future of blockchain finance is unfolding fast — and XRP is leading the charge.

Products and services

Let’s talk about what Metaco actually does — and why Ripple was willing to drop a quarter billion dollars on it like it was Black Friday at the Swiss tech mall. At the heart of Metaco’s offering is its flagship platform, Harmonize. This isn’t your average crypto wallet with a fancy name. Harmonize is a full-stack orchestration layer designed for institutional digital asset custody — meaning it doesn’t just store tokens; it manages them with military-grade security, compliance protocols, and seamless integration into existing banking systems.

Harmonize empowers financial institutions to offer crypto services without having to become crypto-native themselves. That’s huge. With Harmonize, banks can tokenize real-world assets, manage private keys using secure hardware modules (HSMs), and automate complex workflows like compliance checks, governance approvals, and even smart contract execution. It’s like giving Wall Street a Web3 upgrade — minus the chaos and meme coins.

• Multi-asset support: Harmonize can custody a wide array of digital assets, including XRP, Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and tokenized securities.
• Modular architecture: Institutions can plug Harmonize into their existing infrastructure, whether it’s a core banking system or a trading desk.
• Policy engine: Built-in governance tools allow for customizable access controls, transaction limits, and regulatory compliance workflows.
• Hardware security modules (HSMs): Private keys are stored in tamper-proof environments that meet the highest security standards (think FIPS 140-2 Level 3).

But Harmonize is just the beginning. Metaco also offers a suite of APIs and SDKs that allow fintechs, asset managers, and central banks to build their own digital asset services on top of Metaco’s infrastructure. That includes everything from launching tokenized funds to enabling crypto payments to integrating with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols — all while maintaining full compliance with regulatory standards.

And here’s where XRP comes in. With Ripple’s integration of Metaco’s services, XRP can now be securely stored, tokenized, and transacted by institutions in a fully compliant way. That’s a game-changer for RippleNet clients looking to expand beyond cross-border payments into full-spectrum digital asset management. It also paves the way for new use cases such as:

• XRP as collateral: With custody-grade infrastructure, XRP can now be used in lending, derivatives, and DeFi applications without compromising security.
• Tokenization of real-world assets: Institutions can issue tokenized bonds, equities, or commodities on XRP Ledger with Metaco handling the custody layer.
• Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs): Ripple’s CBDC platform can now leverage Metaco’s secure custody to manage issuance and distribution at scale.

Take a step back and you’ll see what’s really happening here: Ripple isn’t just putting XRP into more wallets — it’s putting XRP into the institutional bloodstream. By offering end-to-end custody and orchestration tools through Metaco, Ripple is enabling banks and financial institutions to treat XRP like any other regulated asset. That’s not just an upgrade; that’s an evolution.

And if you’re wondering whether this is just another vendor-client relationship, think again. Metaco’s services are now integral to Ripple’s roadmap. As Ripple expands into new markets — from Latin America to the Middle East — having a secure, modular, and compliant custody solution means they can onboard new partners faster and with more trust. That’s how you scale blockchain finance in the real world — not with hype, but with hardened infrastructure that works when billions are on the line.

Partnerships and clients

When it comes to institutional credibility, Metaco doesn’t just talk the talk — it signs the contracts. Before Ripple stepped in with the 0 million acquisition, Metaco had already built an impressive clientele that read like a who’s who of global finance. We’re talking Tier 1 banks, central banks, and blue-chip asset managers — the kinds of names that don’t usually dabble in crypto unless there’s a serious infrastructure partner involved. And that partner, increasingly, has been Metaco.

One of Metaco’s most high-profile partnerships was with Standard Chartered’s Zodia Custody, a regulated digital asset custody service built for institutions. Zodia selected Metaco’s Harmonize platform to underpin its operations — a major vote of confidence that signaled to the market: this tech stack is bank-grade. Not startup-grade. Not crypto-bro-grade. Bank-grade. That’s a critical distinction when your clients are managing billions and can’t afford a single misstep.

Metaco also inked deals with BBVA Switzerland, allowing the bank to offer crypto trading and custody services to its private banking clients. That move made BBVA one of the first major banks in Europe to dive into digital assets — and they didn’t do it alone. They did it with Metaco. And now that Metaco is part of Ripple, those kinds of partnerships have a direct impact on the XRP ecosystem. Because when these institutions expand their digital asset offerings, XRP is now positioned to be one of the core assets they can custody, trade, and integrate into broader financial services.

• Standard Chartered’s Zodia Custody: Utilizes Metaco’s Harmonize for secure, compliant crypto asset storage.
• BBVA Switzerland: Offers crypto trading and custody built on Metaco’s infrastructure.
• UnionBank of the Philippines: A RippleNet client and Metaco partner, enabling digital asset custody and XRP-based payments.

Let’s not overlook the synergy here. Ripple already has a global network of financial institutions using RippleNet for cross-border payments. By layering Metaco’s custody capabilities on top, Ripple can now offer a full suite of services — from instant settlement with XRP to secure storage and compliance. That’s not just vertical integration; that’s full-stack domination.

And it’s not just about who Metaco partnered with in the past — it’s about who they’ll partner with next, now backed by Ripple’s resources and global reach. In regions like the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, where regulatory frameworks for crypto are evolving rapidly, Ripple’s partnership with Metaco gives it a turnkey solution for onboarding new banks and fintechs. They don’t need to reinvent the wheel — they just need to plug into Harmonize and go. XRP custody? Check. Compliance? Check. Institutional trust? Triple check.

What we’re witnessing is the convergence of blockchain finance and traditional banking — and Metaco is the connective tissue. With Ripple’s XRP Ledger on one side and Harmonize on the other, institutions now have a secure, compliant, and scalable way to adopt digital assets. That kind of infrastructure doesn’t just attract clients — it builds ecosystems.

Regulatory compliance and security

Let’s be honest — “regulatory compliance” isn’t exactly a sexy phrase. It doesn’t trend on Twitter, and it won’t make your group chat light up with rocket emojis. But in the world of institutional blockchain finance, it’s the difference between scaling globally and getting sidelined by regulators. And this is exactly where Metaco flexes its Swiss-engineered muscles: by delivering top-tier security and regulatory rigor that make even the most conservative banks nod in approval.

Metaco’s infrastructure was architected from the ground up with compliance in mind. We’re not talking about a few checkboxes on a PowerPoint slide — we’re talking full-stack governance frameworks, audit-ready transaction logs, and jurisdiction-specific policy engines. Harmonize, Metaco’s flagship platform, allows institutions to define granular access controls, enforce multi-signature approvals, and integrate seamlessly with compliance monitoring tools and AML systems. That means a global bank in Singapore and a central bank in the Middle East can each apply their own regulatory logic — without compromising security or scalability.

And speaking of security, Metaco doesn’t mess around. Its use of Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) ensures that private keys never leave secure environments, achieving compliance with standards like FIPS 140-2 Level 3 — the same level used by defense organizations and top-tier financial institutions. Combine that with support for air-gapped key management, disaster recovery protocols, and end-to-end encryption, and you’ve got a custody setup that could make Fort Knox look a little insecure.

• Fully compliant with global regulatory standards — including AML, KYC, GDPR, and FATF guidelines
• Granular policy management — enforce access controls, transaction limits, and geo-restrictions
• Audit-ready architecture — complete transaction histories with immutable logs for regulators and auditors
• Bank-grade HSMs — tamper-proof environments for storing and managing cryptographic keys

Now, here’s where things get really interesting for XRP and Ripple. By embedding Metaco’s compliance and security stack into its institutional offerings, Ripple can now meet the most stringent regulatory demands across jurisdictions. This opens the floodgates for major financial players — the ones who previously sat on the sidelines due to regulatory uncertainty — to finally engage with digital assets like XRP. It’s not just about custody anymore; it’s about trusted custody that regulators won’t block and compliance officers won’t balk at.

Take Ripple’s push into CBDCs, for example. Governments and central banks aren’t going to entrust sovereign digital currencies to infrastructure that can’t pass a security audit. With Metaco, Ripple has a compliant, secure foundation that meets the bar. That’s huge for XRP, which will increasingly sit at the center of these transactions — either as a bridge currency or settlement asset. Compliance isn’t just a checkbox here; it’s a catalyst for adoption.

And let’s not forget the ripple effect (pun intended) on RippleNet and its global clientele. With Metaco’s regulatory posture now part of Ripple’s DNA, financial institutions can adopt XRP with confidence, knowing the custody layer is battle-tested and regulator-approved. This isn’t about dodging oversight — it’s about embracing it, with infrastructure so solid that regulators see it as a model, not a menace.

In a world where headlines are dominated by hacks, rug pulls, and regulatory takedowns, Metaco gives Ripple — and by extension, XRP — something incredibly rare: trust. And in institutional finance, trust is the currency that counts.

At XRPAuthority.com, we believe the future belongs to platforms that combine innovation with integrity. Metaco’s security-first, compliance-forward approach is a blueprint for how digital assets like XRP will go mainstream — not by bypassing the rules, but by setting the standard. Stay locked in with us as we track the next big moves in crypto custody, Ripple’s global expansion, and XRP’s rise in institutional finance. When the future is uncertain, trust the authority. XRPAuthority.com — your compass in the crypto frontier.