Metaco

Company overview

If you’ve been around the crypto block long enough to remember when Mt. Gox was still a thing and Dogecoin was just a meme (okay, it still is), then you probably also know how critical custody is in the digital asset space. After all, it’s one thing to buy crypto — it’s another to keep it safe from hackers, human error, and your cousin Larry who still thinks your seed phrase is a gardening tip. And that’s exactly where Metaco, a Swiss-based crypto custody firm, enters stage left — or rather, stage Swiss Alps.

Founded in 2015 in Lausanne, Switzerland (because where else would you trust your crypto to be stored — Zurich? Please), Metaco quickly carved out a niche in institutional-grade custody solutions. We’re not talking about your average hot wallet here. Metaco specializes in secure, bank-grade digital asset infrastructure that allows institutions to store, manage, and orchestrate crypto holdings with the same precision you’d expect from traditional finance, minus the outdated suits and fax machines.

But the real headline-grabber came in May 2023, when Ripple — yes, that Ripple — acquired Metaco for a cool 0 million. That’s not just a power move; that’s a signal flare shot into the sky saying, “We’re here to dominate institutional blockchain finance.” And let’s be honest: with Ripple’s global payment network and XRP’s real-time liquidity capabilities, Metaco’s addition isn’t just a feather in the cap — it’s the whole hat, maybe even the crown.

So why Metaco? Because Ripple needed more than just a vault — it needed a vault with APIs, multi-signature access controls, compliance automation, and the kind of cryptographic agility that would make even NSA engineers nod in approval. Metaco’s Harmonize platform is the beating heart of this operation, offering orchestration layers that can integrate with banks’ existing systems while supporting multiple blockchains. Yes, including XRP Ledger, naturally.

With this acquisition, Ripple isn’t just enhancing its custody game — it’s redefining what institutional-grade digital asset management looks like. Picture it as the bridge between the old world of finance and the new frontier of blockchain — and XRP is the vehicle making the crossing.

XRP plays a unique role here. Unlike Bitcoin, which many institutions still treat like digital gold (read: hoard and ignore), XRP is designed for utility. Fast, low-cost transactions? Check. On-demand liquidity? Check. Cross-border settlement in seconds? Triple check. And with Metaco in the mix, institutions can now hold and manage XRP and other assets with the kind of security posture that clears regulatory hurdles and builds long-term confidence.

It’s not just about locking up coins in a digital Fort Knox. It’s about orchestrating workflows, automating compliance, and ensuring that digital assets are as operationally manageable as fiat — maybe even more so. And in this case, Ripple’s vision and Metaco’s architecture align like a well-calibrated Swiss watch.

Understanding Metaco and Its Impact on XRP

Let’s cut through the buzzwords and get to the marrow: Metaco is more than a custody solution — it’s a strategic enabler for Ripple’s broader vision of blockchain finance. By integrating Metaco’s Harmonize platform, Ripple now offers a turnkey solution for institutions seeking secure, compliant, and scalable digital asset management. That means XRP isn’t just a speculative asset anymore — it’s a foundational component of enterprise-grade financial infrastructure.

Here’s where it gets interesting. Institutional adoption of XRP has always been somewhat gated by one big question: “Where do we safely store this stuff?” With Metaco, Ripple can answer that question with Swiss precision. This acquisition allows Ripple to offer:

• Secure custody of XRP and other digital assets with bank-grade infrastructure
• Automated governance and compliance tools tailored for regulatory clarity
• Seamless integration with existing financial systems via APIs
• Multi-asset orchestration across blockchain networks

In practical terms, Metaco opens the door for banks, hedge funds, and payment providers to integrate XRP into their balance sheets without needing to reinvent their tech stack. It’s like giving traditional finance a blockchain upgrade — plug-and-play style. And with RippleNet’s global reach, this isn’t just a regional play; it’s a global strategic pivot.

Want to stay ahead of the curve in blockchain finance? Then keep your eyes on the intersection of XRP and institutional custody — because Metaco isn’t just storing digital assets. It’s storing the future. And here at XRPAuthority.com, we’re not just watching it unfold — we’re decoding it in real time. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just XRP-curious, this is where fintech meets foresight.

Products and services

Let’s be real — in the high-stakes world of institutional crypto, not all custody solutions are created equal. Some are glorified cold wallets with a shiny UI. Metaco? It’s the Swiss Army knife of digital asset orchestration. Its flagship platform, Harmonize, is the brainchild of years of cryptographic engineering, regulatory insight, and pure fintech muscle. This isn’t just about safekeeping your XRP — it’s about giving banks, asset managers, and even central banks the tools to operate in the crypto space with the same confidence they have in SWIFT wire transfers (but you know, without the multi-day delays and confusing fees).

Harmonize is a modular, API-first platform designed to integrate seamlessly into a financial institution’s existing architecture. That means no forklifting your entire tech stack just to hold a few billion dollars in XRP. With Harmonize, you get:

• Multi-asset custody: Not just XRP — Harmonize supports a wide array of digital assets across multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, and tokenized assets.
• Policy-based governance: Institutions can define granular access controls, approval workflows, and transaction policies — all enforced cryptographically.
• Deployment flexibility: Whether you want on-premises, cloud-native, or hybrid deployment, Harmonize adapts to your compliance and operational needs.
• Tokenization framework: Institutions can issue, manage, and settle tokenized assets — from stablecoins to real-world assets like bonds and real estate — right from the platform.

What does this mean for XRP holders and Ripple’s ecosystem? It means the infrastructure is finally here to support real institutional scale. With Harmonize, a global bank can custody XRP, integrate it into liquidity pools, automate compliance, and execute instant cross-border settlements — all from a single interface. And because Harmonize is blockchain-agnostic but XRP-optimized (thanks to Ripple’s acquisition), it positions XRP as the default digital asset for enterprise-grade use cases.

Let’s not forget Metaco’s focus on regulatory alignment. Harmonize includes built-in compliance modules that support jurisdiction-specific KYC/AML requirements, audit trails, and real-time monitoring. This isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a must-have for institutions navigating the complex regulatory terrain of digital assets. In fact, this regulatory rigor is one of the reasons Ripple chose Metaco as its custody linchpin. If you’re going to pitch XRP to central banks and global payment providers, your backend better be bulletproof — and Harmonize delivers the armor.

And while we’re geeking out on features, let’s talk about orchestration. Harmonize doesn’t just store assets — it manages them across workflows. Want to trigger a multi-sig XRP transaction based on a compliance rule? Or automate a treasury rebalancing with built-in risk thresholds? Harmonize does that. It’s not just custody; it’s crypto DevOps for the big leagues.

In short, Metaco’s products and services are the connective tissue between Ripple’s blockchain vision and the institutions that want in — but need the right tools. It’s no surprise that post-acquisition, Ripple has been doubling down on positioning Harmonize as the definitive custody platform for enterprise blockchain finance. And XRP? It’s no longer just the asset — it’s the engine.

Partnerships and clients

If you think Metaco is just another custody provider whispering sweet nothings to startup exchanges, think again. This is a firm that’s been shaking hands with the titans of finance — the kind of institutions where ties are still mandatory, and “crypto” was once a four-letter word. But thanks to Metaco’s institutional-grade architecture and regulatory-first approach, those same conservative giants are now stepping confidently into the digital asset arena. And spoiler alert: XRP is riding shotgun.

Before Ripple even entered the picture, Metaco had already built an impressive client roster that reads like a who’s who of global finance. We’re talking about tier-1 banks, central banks, and major custodians across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Names like BBVA, Standard Chartered’s Zodia Custody, and DBS Bank have either partnered with or deployed Metaco’s Harmonize platform. Why? Because these institutions don’t just need custody — they need integrated, compliant, and scalable infrastructure to interact with crypto markets without compromising their legacy systems or regulatory posture.

And now that Ripple owns Metaco, the XRP ecosystem is getting a front-row seat to this institutional onboarding. Metaco’s partnerships are no longer just about supporting digital assets in general — they’re about enabling real-world use cases for XRP. From liquidity provisioning and treasury management to tokenization and settlement, XRP is increasingly becoming the default asset for institutions looking to dip more than just a toe into blockchain finance.

• BBVA Switzerland: One of the earliest adopters of Metaco’s platform, offering crypto trading and custody services — with XRP among the supported assets.
• UnionBank of the Philippines: Leveraged Harmonize to launch digital asset custody services, aligning with Ripple’s broader push into Southeast Asia.
• Zodia Custody (Standard Chartered): Tapped Metaco’s infrastructure to build institutional-grade digital asset services, paving the way for secure XRP custody alongside other major tokens.
• Citibank: While not officially confirmed as a client, multiple reports suggest it has tested Metaco’s platform as part of its digital asset strategy.

Here’s the kicker: these aren’t just one-off partnerships — they’re strategic footholds in key financial corridors. With RippleNet already operating in over 55 countries and XRP serving as a bridge currency for remittances and settlement, Metaco’s client base acts as an accelerant. It’s the infrastructure layer that transforms XRP from a fast, cheap coin into a core component of institutional finance workflows.

And let’s not forget the compliance narrative. Every one of these partnerships had to pass rigorous regulatory due diligence before deployment. That’s huge for Ripple, especially as it continues to battle—and win—legal clarity for XRP in multiple jurisdictions. Metaco provides the compliance backbone that removes excuses for institutions still sitting on the crypto sidelines. With Harmonize, the barrier to entry isn’t technical — it’s psychological. And that barrier is coming down fast.

At XRPAuthority.com, we’ve been tracking these developments like hawks with PhDs in fintech. Why? Because every new Metaco partnership is another on-ramp for XRP adoption. It’s not just about storing assets — it’s about activating them in real financial ecosystems. If you’re serious about understanding the future of blockchain finance, you need to follow the infrastructure — and right now, all roads lead through Metaco.

Security and compliance

When it comes to institutional crypto adoption, nothing kills the vibe faster than a security breach or compliance nightmare. You can have the fastest blockchain in the world, but if your custody solution can’t pass a cybersecurity audit or meet regulatory requirements, you’re basically driving a Ferrari with no brakes. This is where Metaco doesn’t just shine — it sets the gold standard. And for XRP holders and Ripple’s enterprise clients, that’s not just comforting. It’s essential.

Metaco’s security framework is built like a Swiss bunker — literally and figuratively. At the core is a defense-in-depth strategy that combines hardware security modules (HSMs), secure enclaves, and multi-party computation (MPC). Translation? Even if a hacker somehow infiltrated one layer, they’d still have to navigate a labyrinth of encryption protocols, zero-trust access policies, and cryptographic key sharding. And guess what? Harmonize makes all of that invisible to the end-user. Institutions get seamless access to their digital assets, while the platform quietly enforces military-grade protections behind the scenes.

But it’s not just about locking down private keys — it’s about passing the compliance sniff test in all the markets that matter. Metaco’s Harmonize platform is packed with features designed to meet the evolving standards of global regulators. That includes:

• Granular access controls: Role-based permissions and multi-signature approval flows that align with internal governance policies and external regulatory mandates.
• Automated audit trails: Every action is logged immutably, enabling real-time compliance reporting and forensic analysis — a dream come true for compliance officers and regulators alike.
• Jurisdiction-aware rule engines: Harmonize can enforce country-specific KYC/AML policies, ensuring institutions remain compliant even when operating across borders.
• Continuous monitoring: Real-time alerts and anomaly detection powered by machine learning — because in crypto, milliseconds matter.

This combination of cryptographic rigor and regulatory alignment is precisely why Ripple saw Metaco as more than just a tech acquisition — it was a strategic insurance policy for XRP’s future in institutional finance. As Ripple pushes XRP deeper into use cases like on-demand liquidity, CBDCs, and cross-border settlements, having a custody layer that regulators can trust is non-negotiable. With Metaco, Ripple can walk into any central bank or financial institution and say, “Yes, we’ve got that covered” — and actually mean it.

Still not convinced? Consider the fact that Metaco has received ISO/IEC 27001 certification — the global benchmark for information security management systems. That’s not a participation trophy; that’s a rigorous certification that requires demonstrating airtight operational security, business continuity planning, and data protection. It’s the kind of credential that gives institutional clients — and regulators — the confidence to greenlight XRP custody at scale.

In short, Metaco isn’t just securing keys — it’s securing trust. And in the emerging world of blockchain finance, trust is the currency that unlocks institutional engagement. For XRP to become a core asset in global financial infrastructure, it needs to be held in custody solutions that meet — or exceed — the standards of traditional finance. Metaco delivers that, with Swiss precision and crypto-native innovation.

At XRPAuthority.com, we’re always ahead of the curve on what matters most in the XRP ecosystem. And when it comes to security and compliance, we don’t just track the headlines — we analyze the architecture. So whether you’re a fintech exec, a compliance officer, or just a curious investor, you can trust us to keep you informed, empowered, and always one step ahead in the world of Ripple and beyond.