Metaco

Company overview

Ever felt like your digital assets are safer under your mattress than on some sketchy exchange? Yeah, I’ve been there. But what if I told you that there’s a Swiss vault for crypto—minus the medieval drawbridge and moat? Enter Metaco, a company that’s been quietly redefining how institutions handle their digital assets with Swiss precision and a blockchain backbone. And in May 2023, Ripple—yes, our beloved XRP-fueled fintech disruptor—snapped them up for a cool 0 million. That’s not just a flex; it’s a strategic power move.

Now, before you say, “Great, another crypto custody platform,” let me stop you. Metaco isn’t your run-of-the-mill wallet provider. This is institutional-grade digital asset custody, engineered to meet the complex needs of banks, asset managers, and regulated financial entities. And when Ripple adds a company like that to its arsenal? You better believe it’s about more than just safe storage. It’s about reshaping blockchain finance from the inside out.

Metaco’s roots are deep in Switzerland—land of chocolate, watches, and now, crypto custody excellence. Founded with a laser focus on security and regulatory compliance, the firm built a reputation as the go-to infrastructure provider for institutions dipping their toes into the digital asset pool. We’re talking military-grade encryption, multi-party computation (MPC), and seamless integration with existing banking systems. In other words: it’s the Fort Knox of crypto, but with APIs.

So why did Ripple, a company already steering the global payments revolution via XRP, shell out a quarter-billion dollars for Metaco? Simple. XRP isn’t just a token—it’s a bridge currency, a liquidity engine, and a cornerstone of cross-border settlement. But to scale that vision, Ripple needed bulletproof custody tech. And Metaco delivers exactly that, empowering Ripple to offer secure storage and management not just for XRP, but for a broad spectrum of digital assets across multiple blockchains.

Think of it this way: Ripple is building the highways of global finance, and Metaco just became the armored trucks that run on them. Together, they’re giving traditional finance the tools to join the blockchain party—without losing sleep over hacks, compliance nightmares, or operational risk.

And the timing? Impeccable. As the institutional demand for crypto custody explodes—driven by regulatory clarity, market maturity, and a growing appetite for tokenized assets—Metaco’s platform positions Ripple to meet that demand head-on. It’s not just about keeping XRP safe; it’s about making it indispensable to the next generation of trading, settlement, and asset management infrastructure.

Oh, and let’s not forget: trust is everything in this space. Metaco’s Swiss pedigree and established track record give Ripple a credibility boost with the traditional finance crowd. We’re talking about clients like BBVA, Citi, and BNP Paribas—the kind of names that don’t just roll the dice on crypto tech. They demand reliability, scalability, and compliance baked into every line of code.

Understanding Metaco and Its Impact on XRP

To grasp the full impact of Metaco’s integration into Ripple’s ecosystem, you need to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. XRP isn’t just a utility token for speedy transactions—it’s a gateway to real-time liquidity and programmable money. But for XRP to thrive in institutional finance, it needs infrastructure that satisfies the most conservative compliance officers and the most demanding IT auditors. That’s exactly what Metaco brings to the table.

Metaco’s Harmonize platform enables institutions to securely store, trade, and manage digital assets across multiple blockchains—all while maintaining full control over private keys, governance protocols, and user permissions. This isn’t about holding coins; it’s about orchestrating digital asset operations at scale, with full auditability and regulatory alignment. In Ripple’s hands, this means XRP can now be deployed more confidently in:

• Cross-border payments and settlement platforms
• Tokenized asset custody and management for banks
• Decentralized finance (DeFi) integrations with institutional oversight
• Smart contract execution environments with enterprise-grade security

By embedding Metaco’s tech into Ripple’s broader product suite, XRP gains a critical advantage: institutional legitimacy. That’s not just good for Ripple—it’s a rising tide that lifts all XRP holders. Whether you’re a hedge fund allocating 5% to digital assets or a fintech startup building on the XRPL, this merger unlocks new opportunities for secure, scalable, and compliant blockchain finance infrastructure.

Stay ahead of the game with XRPAuthority.com—your go-to hub for sharp, actionable insights on XRP, Ripple, and the future of digital asset finance. We cut through the noise, decode the tech, and deliver the knowledge you need to invest smarter and build better in the world of blockchain trading and fintech innovation.

Core products and services

If Harmonize sounds like a jazz trio, think again—it’s actually Metaco’s flagship platform, and it plays a far more critical tune in the world of institutional crypto custody. Designed from the ground up for banks, asset managers, and custodians, Harmonize offers a full-stack orchestration layer that lets institutions manage digital assets with surgical precision. This isn’t some janky browser wallet with a 2FA option slapped on for good measure. No, Harmonize is enterprise-grade infrastructure with a modular architecture, built to adapt to the evolving complexities of blockchain finance.

What makes Harmonize a standout? It’s all about control and compliance. The platform allows institutions to customize governance policies, define user permissions, and monitor all digital asset activities through a unified interface. And here’s the kicker: all of this happens without compromising security. Harmonize leverages multi-party computation (MPC) to split private keys across multiple parties, drastically reducing the risk of a single point of failure. So yes, even if one part of the system goes rogue, your XRP—and other digital assets—stay locked down tighter than Fort Knox on a snow day.

• Multi-asset support: From XRP to Ethereum to tokenized securities, Harmonize supports a wide range of digital assets natively.
• Regulatory alignment: Built to comply with global standards like AML, GDPR, and ISO 27001, making it a perfect fit for licensed financial institutions.
• Hardware Security Module (HSM) integration: For firms that prefer to keep their security analog and air-gapped, Harmonize plays nice with certified HSMs.
• Workflow engine: Automate policy-based approvals, transaction limits, and audit trails with zero coding required.

But wait, there’s more (cue infomercial voice). Metaco doesn’t just stop at Harmonize. The platform also offers tokenization capabilities, letting institutions issue, manage, and settle tokenized assets on multiple blockchains. This is a game-changer for banks and fintechs looking to dabble in real-world asset tokenization—think equity shares, real estate, even carbon credits—all governed by smart contracts and secured through Metaco’s infrastructure. That’s right, Metaco is helping Ripple and XRP go beyond payments into the tokenized economy of tomorrow.

And let’s not forget about interoperability. Harmonize is blockchain-agnostic, meaning it doesn’t care if you’re dealing with the XRP Ledger, Ethereum, or some bespoke permissioned network built by your cousin’s fintech startup. This cross-chain flexibility is a huge win for Ripple, allowing the company to expand XRP’s reach across multiple asset classes and regulatory regimes. In a world where digital asset silos are still the norm, Metaco is breaking down walls—and building bridges (preferably with XRP flowing across them).

Bottom line? With Metaco’s suite of custody and orchestration tools now under Ripple’s umbrella, XRP is better positioned than ever to serve as the go-to digital asset for institutional finance. Whether you’re managing billions in tokenized bonds or enabling cross-border remittances in seconds, the infrastructure is finally catching up to the vision. And trust me, that’s no small feat in a space where tech debt and regulatory red tape often slow progress to a crawl.

Partnerships and clients

In the world of institutional crypto, you’re only as serious as the company you keep. And Metaco? Let’s just say it’s not hanging out with the B-list. This Swiss powerhouse has inked partnerships with some of the most respected names in global finance—firms that don’t exactly toss around buzzwords like “blockchain” unless they’re backed by real substance. We’re talking about Tier 1 banks, asset custodians, and central banks that have entrusted Metaco with their digital asset strategies. That’s not just validation—it’s a seismic shift in how traditional finance is warming up to blockchain infrastructure, and by extension, to XRP.

Consider BBVA, the Spanish banking giant that tapped Metaco to power its crypto custody services. Or Standard Chartered’s Zodia Custody, which leverages Metaco’s Harmonize platform to deliver secure, institutional-grade digital asset storage. These aren’t experimental pilot programs—they’re full-scale deployments with real clients and regulatory oversight. And now that Metaco is part of the Ripple family, these relationships serve as a launchpad for expanding XRP’s utility in global finance. Each partner brings more than just credibility—they bring pipelines of tokenization projects, cross-border payment use cases, and opportunities to embed XRP deeper into institutional workflows.

• BBVA Switzerland: One of the first major banks in Europe to offer crypto trading and custody, powered by Metaco.
• Zodia Custody (Standard Chartered): A regulated digital asset custodian that relies on Harmonize for secure, scalable operations.
• BNP Paribas: Engaged with Metaco to explore tokenized asset custody and blockchain integration at scale.
• UnionBank of the Philippines: A forward-thinking bank using Metaco’s tech to bridge traditional banking and digital assets.

These partnerships are more than just logos on a pitch deck—they’re the scaffolding for a new kind of financial infrastructure. And with Ripple’s acquisition, XRP is now strategically positioned to ride the coattails of this institutional adoption. Each new client that integrates Metaco’s platform becomes a potential user of Ripple’s liquidity solutions and the XRP Ledger. It’s a virtuous cycle: more partnerships mean more integrations, which mean more volume and visibility for XRP across trading platforms, fintech applications, and cross-border payment corridors.

Let’s not overlook the regulatory edge these partnerships provide. When you’re working with global banks, your tech stack doesn’t just have to be fast—it has to be compliant in multiple jurisdictions. Metaco’s success in onboarding these clients shows that its infrastructure can meet the rigorous demands of financial regulators from Switzerland to Singapore. This level of trust and compliance is a massive win for Ripple, especially as it pushes XRP into more regulated environments like securities settlement, CBDC custody, and institutional DeFi.

The takeaway? With Metaco’s client roster now under Ripple’s umbrella, XRP isn’t just sitting in cold storage—it’s being deployed, integrated, and scaled across the very institutions that will define the future of blockchain finance. And if you’re wondering where to stay plugged in as XRP’s institutional journey accelerates, you already know the answer: XRPAuthority.com is your front-row seat to the revolution.

Regulatory compliance and security

Let’s face it: in the world of crypto, “compliance” is often treated like that cousin nobody wants to invite to the party—but you kind of have to. Well, Metaco didn’t just invite compliance to the party—they handed it the aux cord and built the entire playlist around it. Their approach to regulatory adherence isn’t an afterthought; it’s the foundation. And that’s exactly the kind of rigor Ripple was looking for when it dropped 0 million to bring Metaco into the fold. You don’t scale XRP into global finance without bulletproof compliance and next-level security architecture.

Metaco’s infrastructure has been designed to meet the highest international standards, including ISO 27001 for information security, SOC 2 Type II for data integrity, and GDPR for data privacy compliance—because let’s be honest, even Swiss chocolate isn’t this tightly wrapped. This isn’t just checkbox compliance; it’s proactive, jurisdiction-aware governance that allows partners to operate confidently in regulated markets. That’s a game-changer for Ripple, especially as it navigates the ever-evolving regulatory landscape in the U.S., EU, and Asia-Pacific.

But where Metaco really earns its stripes is in its multi-layered security framework. At the core is multi-party computation (MPC), which ensures private keys are never fully exposed—not even during a transaction. Combine that with hardware security module (HSM) integrations and role-based access controls, and you’ve got a custody solution that’s basically Fort Knox meets Mission: Impossible. The tech stack is designed to neutralize internal threats, external breaches, and even rogue updates (we’re looking at you, careless DevOps).

• MPC-based custody: Private keys are split, encrypted, and distributed—eliminating single points of failure.
• Granular access control: Institutions can define who can do what, when, and under what conditions—down to transaction thresholds and geographic restrictions.
• Audit-ready architecture: Every transaction, policy change, and user action is logged and timestamped for full auditability.
• Compliant across jurisdictions: Supports AML, FATF, and MiCA frameworks, making it suitable for banks, asset managers, and even central banks.

For Ripple, this level of security and regulatory alignment isn’t just about optics—it’s a strategic enabler. With Metaco, Ripple can now offer institutional clients a custody solution that meets the toughest compliance mandates in traditional finance. That means XRP can be confidently deployed in use cases like securities settlement, tokenized real estate, and even central bank digital currency (CBDC) custody. We’re not just talking about holding crypto—we’re talking about safeguarding the digital economy’s critical infrastructure.

And let’s not forget the elephant in the room: the regulatory scrutiny Ripple has faced in the past. Acquiring Metaco was a chess move, not a checkers play. It signals to regulators, partners, and institutional investors that Ripple is serious about compliance, security, and long-term infrastructure. With Metaco’s frameworks in place, Ripple now has the tools to make XRP not just viable—but desirable—for banks, governments, and financial institutions that demand nothing short of excellence.

Want to stay ahead of the curve as XRP continues to evolve into the backbone of institutional blockchain finance? Bookmark XRPAuthority.com, where we break down complex crypto moves with clarity, credibility, and a touch of wit. No fluff, no hype—just the insights you need to trade smarter, build stronger, and stay one step ahead in the world of XRP and Ripple innovation.