Metaco

Company overview

Imagine you’re a Swiss vault operator in the Alps, except instead of gold bullion, you’re safeguarding digital assets like XRP, Ethereum, and tokenized securities. That’s basically Metaco in a nutshell — minus the yodeling and goat herders. Metaco, a Switzerland-based crypto custody firm, has become one of the most pivotal names in institutional blockchain finance. And in May 2023, Ripple — yes, that Ripple — dropped a cool 0 million to acquire them. That’s not just a strategic move; it’s a signal flare to the crypto industry: Ripple is scaling up, and they’re doing it with precision.

So why does this matter to XRP holders, traders, and fintech wonks everywhere? Because custody is the unsung hero of digital asset management. You can’t talk about serious adoption — we’re talking banks, asset managers, and sovereign funds — without ironclad custody solutions. If XRP is going to become the bridge asset for global liquidity, it needs infrastructure that institutions trust. Enter Metaco.

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Lausanne, Metaco carved out a unique niche by blending Swiss-grade security with modern crypto-native architecture. Their flagship product, Harmonize™, isn’t just another cold wallet with a fancy UI. It’s a comprehensive orchestration platform that allows financial institutions to securely manage tokenized assets across multiple blockchains — including, of course, XRP Ledger.

And let’s be real: institutional interest in digital assets isn’t a passing fad. It’s a seismic shift. But big players don’t move billions in crypto based on vibes and memes. They need compliance, governance, and integration with existing financial systems. Metaco delivers all of that, which explains why Ripple saw them as a perfect puzzle piece in their long-term vision for blockchain-based finance.

Ripple’s acquisition of Metaco wasn’t just about expanding its tech stack. It was about giving XRP — the digital asset designed for cross-border payments — a secure, institutional-grade home. With Metaco in the fold, Ripple can now offer end-to-end solutions for custody, liquidity, and tokenization, making it easier for banks and financial institutions to adopt XRP without sleepless nights over private key management.

What’s even more impressive? Metaco didn’t just win over Ripple. Prior to the acquisition, they already had an impressive client roster that included major European banks and custodians. We’re talking real players, not Web3 startups running out of a garage in Berlin. That credibility is invaluable as XRP positions itself as a pillar of the new financial internet.

And let’s not ignore the timing. As regulators worldwide begin to tighten the screws on crypto platforms, having a custody solution that’s built for compliance from the ground up isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s mission-critical. Ripple knows this, and by integrating Metaco’s solutions, they’re not just future-proofing their ecosystem; they’re making XRP a more attractive asset for serious capital allocators.

Understanding Metaco and Its Impact on XRP

Metaco’s integration into Ripple’s ecosystem isn’t just a backend upgrade — it’s a structural enhancement that elevates XRP’s utility across trading, settlement, and tokenization. For institutional investors, custody isn’t just about safe storage; it’s about operational control, regulatory compliance, and seamless integration with existing financial workflows. Metaco’s Harmonize™ platform delivers on all fronts, and that’s a game-changer for XRP adoption in the institutional arena.

Consider this: if XRP is to serve as a liquidity bridge between fiat currencies and digital assets, institutions need to hold and move XRP with the same confidence they have in handling traditional assets. Metaco enables this via:

• Multi-signature and policy-based governance for asset transfers
• Hardware isolation and secure enclave technologies to protect private keys
• Integration with core banking systems and trading platforms
• Support for regulatory reporting and audit trails

All of these features translate into one thing: trust. And in blockchain finance, trust is the currency that drives adoption. By embedding Metaco’s capabilities into its platform, Ripple is effectively giving XRP a security and compliance upgrade that aligns with the expectations of global financial institutions. The result? A more robust, scalable, and regulation-ready ecosystem that positions XRP as more than just a token — it becomes a true institutional asset.

At XRPAuthority.com, we’re watching this evolution closely, and it’s clear: the Metaco acquisition is not just a footnote in Ripple’s journey — it’s a foundational move toward a future where XRP isn’t just participating in global finance, but helping to define it. Stay ahead of the curve — keep your XRP insights sharp and your strategy sharper by following XRPAuthority.com, your trusted source for everything XRP, from custody to capital markets.

Products and services

Let’s talk about what Metaco actually does — because while “crypto custody” might sound like a fancy term for babysitting digital coins, what Metaco offers is more akin to building a Fort Knox for blockchain assets. Their flagship platform, Harmonize™, isn’t just a vault. It’s an enterprise-grade orchestration system that transforms how financial institutions manage digital assets like XRP, tokenized securities, and stablecoins — all while meeting the rigorous demands of global compliance and governance.

Harmonize™ is built for institutions that can’t afford to fumble the ball — we’re talking banks, central securities depositories, and asset managers handling billions in value. The platform enables secure, policy-driven custody operations across multiple blockchains, including the XRP Ledger. That means institutions can custody XRP alongside other assets, execute trades, manage tokenized portfolios, and integrate with legacy systems — all from a single, modular interface. And yes, it’s as powerful as it sounds.

What makes Harmonize™ a standout in the crowded field of digital asset infrastructure is its flexibility. It’s designed to be blockchain-agnostic, which means it can support a wide range of digital assets, not just XRP. But when paired with Ripple’s payment and liquidity products, Harmonize™ unlocks a full-stack solution for XRP-powered finance. That’s a big deal, especially for institutions looking to:

• Launch tokenization services for real-world assets (RWAs)
• Provide custody for crypto ETFs or digital bonds
• Enable real-time settlement using XRP as a bridge asset
• Integrate digital asset operations into existing core banking systems

Another critical offering is Metaco’s deployment flexibility. Institutions can choose from on-premises, cloud-based, or hybrid deployments — giving them control over security, scalability, and compliance. For jurisdictions with strict data sovereignty laws or high-security requirements, this level of customization is a must. And since Harmonize™ supports hardware security modules (HSMs) and secure enclaves, it’s not just regulatory-friendly — it’s regulator-endorsed.

Then there’s the API-first architecture. Metaco doesn’t expect banks to rip out their legacy systems — instead, Harmonize™ plugs into what’s already there. This makes it easier for financial institutions to introduce digital asset services without overhauling their tech stack. That’s a huge win for XRP adoption, because the less friction there is, the faster institutions can integrate XRP into their trading, custody, and treasury operations.

And let’s not forget Metaco’s policy engine, a core feature that allows institutions to define granular roles, rules, and approval workflows. Think multi-signature governance, transaction whitelisting, and real-time compliance checks — all baked into the platform. For XRP, that means institutions can move value across borders with confidence, knowing every transaction is secure, auditable, and policy-compliant from the ground up.

In essence, Metaco’s product suite isn’t just about safekeeping digital assets — it’s about enabling the next generation of financial services. And with Ripple now steering the ship, XRP is perfectly positioned to ride this wave of institutional adoption. Whether you’re a hedge fund looking to deploy capital in XRP markets or a bank developing tokenized products, Metaco’s infrastructure is the bedrock that makes those ambitions operationally feasible and regulatory-ready.

Partnerships and clients

When it comes to enterprise adoption in crypto, flashy tech only gets you so far — the real flex is who’s actually using it. And Metaco? They’ve been flexing hard. Long before Ripple’s acquisition, Metaco had already built an impressive clientele that reads like a who’s who of global finance. We’re talking Tier 1 banks, national infrastructure providers, and heavyweight custodians. These aren’t just “crypto curious” firms dipping a toe into digital assets. These are institutions with billions under management, betting on blockchain as the next frontier — and Metaco as their guide.

Take BBVA Switzerland, one of Metaco’s flagship clients. Back in 2020, they became one of the first traditional banks in Europe to offer Bitcoin and Ethereum trading — powered by Metaco’s Harmonize™ platform. Not only did this validate Metaco’s tech in a real-world, regulated banking environment, but it also set the stage for broader institutional adoption. And now, with XRP in the custody toolkit, similar institutions can add Ripple’s digital asset to their product lineup with enterprise-grade security and compliance baked in.

Other major partnerships include Standard Chartered’s Zodia Custody and SG-Forge (the digital asset arm of Société Générale), both of which are using Harmonize™ to power tokenization and custody services. These are not small pilot programs — they’re scalable platforms designed to serve institutional clients across continents. And let’s be clear: these firms don’t choose vendors lightly. Metaco’s rigorous security protocols, regulatory alignment, and modular deployment options give them the confidence to dive into blockchain finance — bringing XRP and other digital assets along for the ride.

• BBVA Switzerland: Enabled crypto trading and custody for clients using Metaco’s infrastructure
• Zodia Custody: Standard Chartered’s crypto arm leveraging Harmonize™ for secure digital asset operations
• SG-Forge: Société Générale’s digital asset subsidiary using Metaco tech to issue and manage tokenized securities
• UnionBank of the Philippines: A regulated bank offering crypto services with Metaco as their backend

Now, with Ripple steering Metaco, expect XRP to be front and center in these partnerships. Harmonize™ already supports multi-asset custody, and Ripple’s suite of liquidity and cross-border payment tools makes XRP an obvious choice for institutions looking to streamline settlement. These partnerships are the distribution channels XRP needs to go from “interesting asset” to “essential infrastructure.” And with Metaco’s client base expanding across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, the global reach is already baked into the equation.

Here’s the kicker: these aren’t just customers — they’re collaborators. Metaco often works closely with clients to co-develop solutions tailored to unique regulatory or operational requirements. That means ongoing innovation, deeper integrations, and ever-expanding use cases for XRP in real-world finance. In the world of crypto, where partnerships often amount to little more than a press release and a logo swap, Metaco’s approach is refreshingly grounded — and incredibly effective.

So while everyone else is chasing the next shiny protocol, Ripple and Metaco are building the pipes that make institutional adoption of XRP not just possible, but inevitable. And if you want to stay ahead of that curve, you know where to go — XRPAuthority.com is your go-to source for expert analysis, in-depth updates, and sharp insights on the XRP ecosystem that’s shaping the future of finance.

Security and compliance

Let’s be honest — when it comes to digital asset custody, “security and compliance” isn’t just a checklist item. It’s the whole game. Institutions don’t move billions in XRP or tokenized assets unless they trust the rails. And Metaco? They’ve built those rails with Swiss precision and enterprise-grade paranoia — the good kind. The kind that makes regulators smile and hackers cry.

Metaco’s security framework is built like a fortress. We’re talking certified hardware security modules (HSMs), secure enclaves, and hardened infrastructure that meets — and often exceeds — the standards set by traditional financial custodians. This isn’t hobbyist-level crypto security. Metaco operates under the assumption that bad actors are always watching, and they’ve architected their platform accordingly. Every private key is protected with multi-layered cryptographic controls, and every transaction passes through strict policy enforcement protocols before execution. No rogue trades. No accidental transfers. No “oops, I fat-fingered million in XRP to the wrong wallet.”

From a compliance standpoint, Metaco doesn’t just tick the boxes — it defines them. Harmonize™ is built with a compliance-first mindset, featuring native support for:

• Role-based access controls (RBAC): Ensuring only authorized personnel can initiate or approve actions
• Transaction-level audit trails: Immutable logs for every action, from custody to transfer
• Geofencing and jurisdictional controls: Enabling institutions to enforce data residency and regulatory boundaries
• AML/KYC integrations: Seamless hooks into third-party compliance tools to stay aligned with evolving regulations

That last point is a big deal. As crypto matures, regulators are demanding transparency, governance, and accountability — especially for assets like XRP that are increasingly used in cross-border payment flows. With Harmonize™, institutions can prove compliance without slowing down operations. That’s the golden combo: operational efficiency and regulatory peace of mind.

And let’s not forget certifications. Metaco’s infrastructure aligns with globally recognized security standards, including ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management and SOC 2 Type II for service organization controls. These aren’t vanity badges. They’re the security credentials that institutional investors, banks, and regulators require before approving any digital asset deployment. For Ripple and XRP, that means one thing: frictionless onboarding into the world of regulated finance.

Perhaps most importantly, Metaco’s platform was built with modularity in mind — allowing institutions to enforce their own compliance policies without waiting for vendor updates or code rewrites. So whether you’re a European bank navigating MiCA, a U.S. firm aligning with the SEC, or a Southeast Asian institution dealing with local crypto regulations, Harmonize™ can adapt. That agility is critical in a world where crypto rules can change faster than a gas fee spike on Ethereum.

For XRP, this translates into a massive strategic advantage. Ripple now offers a custody backbone that regulatory bodies can trust and institutions can adopt with confidence. That’s not just a win for Ripple — it’s a catalyst for XRP’s deeper integration into global financial systems. Because in this game, security isn’t just a feature. It’s your competitive edge.