Metaco

Company overview

What do you get when you combine Swiss precision, military-grade security, and a 0 million acquisition from one of the biggest names in blockchain finance? No, it’s not the plot of the next James Bond film (though I’d totally watch it). It’s Metaco — a quietly powerful crypto custody firm that’s now playing a starring role in Ripple’s institutional strategy. If you’re serious about where XRP is heading in the global financial system, you’ll want to keep reading.

Now, I know “crypto custody” might not sound as exciting as a moonshot altcoin or a 1,000% pump overnight. But here’s the deal — without secure, scalable custody infrastructure, institutional adoption of digital assets is basically a non-starter. You can’t expect BlackRock, Santander, or even your local fintech startup to move millions in XRP if they’re worried about their digital assets vanishing into the abyss of a misplaced private key.

Enter Metaco. Founded in 2015 in Lausanne, Switzerland (where they take both chocolate and cybersecurity very seriously), Metaco was built to solve this exact problem. Before Ripple came knocking, Metaco was already the go-to custody solution for tier-one banks and asset managers across Europe and Asia. They weren’t just building wallets — they were engineering the digital vaults of the future.

Ripple, ever the strategic operator, saw what was happening in the institutional custody space and made its move in May 2023. Shelling out 0 million to acquire Metaco wasn’t just a flex — it was a statement. Ripple isn’t just aiming to connect banks through its payment network. It’s building a full-stack blockchain finance ecosystem with XRP at the core, and Metaco is now the armored vault protecting the crown jewels.

Let’s be real: the crypto market has evolved. This isn’t 2017 where a whitepaper and a dream could raise million. Today, institutional players want regulatory compliance, enterprise-grade security, and infrastructure that scales globally. Metaco delivers on all three — and thanks to its integration into Ripple’s ecosystem, XRP is now positioned to meet those demands head-on.

So why does this matter for XRP holders, traders, and fintech innovators? Because custody isn’t just about storage — it’s about unlocking utility. With Metaco handling the heavy lifting behind the scenes, Ripple can offer banks and financial institutions seamless access to XRP for liquidity provisioning, cross-border settlements, and tokenized asset management — all without compromising on security or compliance.

And let’s not forget the context here. As the SEC saga continues to unfold and global regulators set their sights on defining digital asset frameworks, having a Swiss-based, regulation-savvy custody partner in your corner is a serious advantage. The acquisition of Metaco doesn’t just enhance Ripple’s offerings — it fortifies XRP’s position as a legitimate, enterprise-ready asset in the world of blockchain finance.

Understanding Metaco and Its Impact on XRP

Metaco’s integration into Ripple’s ecosystem is more than just a footnote in a press release — it’s a structural upgrade for how XRP is managed, stored, and deployed. Think of Metaco as the Fort Knox of crypto custody, but built for the high-speed, high-volume needs of today’s blockchain economy. And now, XRP gets the VIP treatment under that roof.

By enabling institutional-grade custody for XRP and other digital assets, Metaco allows Ripple to offer a full suite of services to banks, payment providers, and asset managers. This means XRP can now be securely stored, tokenized, or mobilized across various financial applications — all while meeting the stringent requirements of global regulators. This is huge for adoption. Institutions no longer have to build custody infrastructure from scratch or rely on third-party vendors with questionable track records. They can tap directly into Ripple’s ecosystem with confidence.

• Enterprise-grade security: Metaco’s software is designed with modular architecture and supports Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) and multi-party computation (MPC).
• Regulatory alignment: Operating from Switzerland, Metaco has deep expertise navigating European and international compliance frameworks.
• Native XRP support: Institutions can now manage XRP alongside other tokenized assets within a unified custody platform — a game-changer for liquidity management.

So while the headlines may have focused on the dollar amount of the acquisition, the real value lies in the infrastructure. With Metaco in its arsenal, Ripple now controls both the rails and the vaults — a rare combination in the blockchain space. And XRP isn’t just along for the ride; it’s the fuel powering the engine.

Looking ahead, the fusion of Ripple’s liquidity solutions with Metaco’s custody tech is poised to transform how institutions engage with blockchain assets. Whether it’s cross-border payments, on-demand liquidity, or tokenized securities, XRP is now backed by one of the most trusted names in digital asset custody. That’s not just bullish — that’s foundational.

Ready to stay ahead of the curve and unlock deeper insights into the XRP ecosystem? Keep your tabs locked on XRPAuthority.com, your go-to source for expert analysis, real-time XRP updates, and behind-the-scenes intel that actually matters. Because in a world full of hype, we bring you the signal. Let’s keep building the future of finance — together.

Products and services

Metaco isn’t just a glorified digital locker — it’s an entire operating system for secure digital asset management. At the core of its product suite is Harmonize, a modular, institutional-grade orchestration platform that lets banks, asset managers, and corporates securely interact with the world of crypto. We’re talking full-stack custody, tokenization, trading integration, and compliance workflows — all in one unified interface. It’s like the Bloomberg Terminal of blockchain finance, but with way more encryption and zero tolerance for rug pulls.

Harmonize supports both hot and cold storage configurations, enabling clients to tailor their custody strategies based on risk profiles and compliance needs. For institutions managing millions — or billions — in XRP and other assets, this flexibility is paramount. The platform integrates seamlessly with Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) and Multi-Party Computation (MPC) protocols, ensuring that private keys are never exposed or vulnerable. Translation: your XRP is safer than your grandma’s secret cookie recipe locked in a Swiss vault.

But custody is just the beginning. Metaco also offers tokenization capabilities that allow institutions to issue and manage digital representations of real-world assets directly on-chain. This opens the door for XRP to play a central role in next-gen financial instruments like tokenized bonds, equities, and real estate. Coupled with Ripple’s liquidity hub, these services allow clients to not only store but actively put their XRP to work in decentralized finance (DeFi), cross-border settlements, and treasury operations.

• Harmonize Platform: A comprehensive orchestration layer for digital asset custody and tokenization, designed with institutional scalability in mind.
• Tokenization Engine: Enables the creation, issuance, and lifecycle management of tokenized assets using secure and compliant frameworks.
• Integration APIs: Plug-and-play APIs allow banks and fintechs to embed custody and trading features into their existing infrastructure.
• Advanced Compliance Tools: Built-in support for AML, KYC, and transaction monitoring ensures institutions stay on the right side of global regulators.

What makes Metaco’s services especially relevant to XRP holders is how natively XRP is now integrated across this ecosystem. Whether you’re a bank looking to tokenize assets, a fintech firm building a cross-border payment app, or a hedge fund diversifying into digital assets, XRP is ready for prime time. And Metaco is the reason institutions can finally interact with it in a secure, compliant, and programmable way.

In other words, Metaco isn’t just providing custody — it’s building the digital asset infrastructure layer that XRP needs to thrive in institutional finance. Think of it as the missing link between blockchain innovation and real-world adoption. And if you’re still thinking of XRP as just another altcoin, it might be time to upgrade your firmware.

Partnerships and clients

When it comes to credibility in the world of blockchain finance, your client list speaks louder than any marketing deck — and Metaco’s client roster is basically the who’s who of global banking. We’re talking about some of the largest and most risk-averse institutions in the world trusting their digital assets — including XRP — to Metaco’s infrastructure. That’s not just a testament to their tech; it’s a signal that institutional crypto adoption is no longer a matter of “if,” but “how soon.”

Before Ripple ever entered the picture, Metaco had already partnered with high-caliber financial institutions like BBVA, Standard Chartered, and DBS Bank. These aren’t crypto-native startups looking to ride the next bull wave — they’re entrenched players in global finance who demand bulletproof compliance, top-tier security, and seamless integration with legacy systems. And Metaco delivered. That’s exactly why Ripple saw an opportunity to supercharge its enterprise offerings by bringing Metaco under its wing — and why XRP is now front and center in these partnerships.

What’s particularly exciting is how Metaco’s partnerships open the door for XRP to be used in real-world financial environments. Imagine a European bank using XRP for cross-border payments, with Metaco’s custody layer ensuring every transaction meets regulatory standards. Or a Southeast Asian asset manager tokenizing real estate portfolios on the XRP Ledger, with Harmonize running the back-end. This isn’t theoretical — it’s already happening, and the momentum is growing.

• BBVA Switzerland: One of the early adopters of Metaco’s Harmonize platform, BBVA leverages it to offer crypto trading and custody services to high-net-worth clients, including support for XRP.
• UnionBank of the Philippines: A major RippleNet partner that also adopted Metaco to enable enterprise-grade digital asset custody — creating a seamless pipeline for XRP utilization in Southeast Asia.
• Standard Chartered’s Zodia Custody: Partnered with Metaco to bring institutional-grade crypto custody to Europe and beyond, with potential support for XRP as part of broader tokenization strategies.

And let’s not overlook the strategic synergy here. Many of Ripple’s existing enterprise clients — banks, remittance providers, and fintech platforms — can now access Metaco’s custody infrastructure as part of a unified Ripple solution. This dramatically reduces onboarding friction and accelerates adoption of XRP in real-world financial flows. It’s like offering a luxury car with the keys, insurance, and a full tank of gas — institutions can just get in and go.

By integrating Metaco’s technology with Ripple’s payment and liquidity solutions, clients gain a one-stop shop for everything from custody to compliance to cross-border transactions. It’s a vertically integrated model that’s rare in crypto but essential for scaling blockchain finance. And with XRP as the native asset fueling this ecosystem, the value proposition becomes even more compelling.

The bottom line? Metaco’s partnerships aren’t just logos on a website — they’re gateways to global adoption. Each client represents a new use case for XRP, from wealth management in Zurich to remittances in Manila. And as more institutions tap into this infrastructure, XRP moves one step closer to becoming the backbone of next-gen finance.

Security and compliance

In the world of institutional crypto, “security” isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the dividing line between billion-dollar adoption and billion-dollar breaches. And when your core offering involves safeguarding assets like XRP, you need more than a well-written whitepaper. You need bulletproof infrastructure, regulatory fluency, and the kind of operational integrity that makes even the most conservative compliance officers sleep soundly at night. That’s exactly where Metaco shines.

Let’s face it — crypto has a trust problem. From high-profile exchange hacks to rug pulls masquerading as DeFi projects, institutions have watched the space unfold with cautious optimism and a healthy dose of skepticism. Metaco, however, has flipped that narrative by building security into every layer of its technology stack. We’re talking about a custody platform that leverages advanced cryptographic protocols like Multi-Party Computation (MPC), Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), and policy-based access controls that would make Fort Knox blush.

• Multi-Party Computation (MPC): Metaco’s MPC architecture ensures private keys are never fully reconstructed at any point — not even by the system itself. This eliminates single points of failure and drastically reduces attack surfaces.
• Hardware Security Modules (HSMs): For clients who prefer hardware isolation, Metaco supports top-tier HSMs that secure key material in tamper-resistant environments, meeting the highest FIPS 140-2 Level 3 standards.
• Granular access controls: Institutions can define role-based permissions, enforce transaction policies, and implement real-time monitoring — all critical for meeting internal audit and external regulatory requirements.

But security is only half the equation. In a post-FTX, post-Terra world, compliance is the new currency. Metaco’s Swiss roots give it a built-in advantage here — operating under one of the world’s most progressive and structured regulatory environments for digital assets. The firm has deep experience aligning with frameworks like the Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), the EU’s MiCA regulation, and emerging standards across APAC and the Americas. This means that when Ripple deploys XRP through Metaco’s infrastructure, it does so with a high level of legal clarity and institutional-grade governance.

This is especially important as XRP continues to evolve from a payments token to a multi-functional asset powering liquidity, tokenization, and financial infrastructure. Whether it’s being used for cross-border settlements in Asia or tokenized asset custody in Europe, XRP must pass stringent compliance checks — AML, KYC, transaction monitoring, and jurisdictional reporting. Metaco bakes these requirements directly into its platform, helping institutions stay proactive rather than reactive.

Let’s not underestimate the strategic value here. With Metaco embedded in Ripple’s offering, financial institutions no longer need to cobble together a patchwork of third-party vendors just to get compliant. They get a single, unified framework that handles custody, security, and compliance — all while supporting native XRP operations. That’s not just convenient; it’s transformational for adoption at scale.

In short, Metaco’s approach to security and compliance is what elevates it from a custody tool to a foundational layer of institutional blockchain finance. And with XRP now riding shotgun in this hardened, regulation-ready framework, the digital asset is more than just resilient — it’s enterprise-proof. For banks and asset managers looking to future-proof their digital strategy, this is the infrastructure they’ve been waiting for.