Metaco

Company overview

Ever try to explain crypto custody to your grandma over Sunday dinner? Yeah, me neither — I like my mashed potatoes drama-free. But in the heart of blockchain finance, secure digital asset custody is no joke. And when a heavyweight like Ripple drops 0 million to acquire a Swiss-based firm, you better believe there’s more than just alpine chocolate and neutrality going on. Enter Metaco — the crypto custody company that’s quietly become the digital Fort Knox for institutional-grade blockchain assets.

When Ripple, the company behind XRP, made headlines in May 2023 with its acquisition of Metaco, it wasn’t just a power move — it was a strategic foundation pour. Metaco isn’t just another startup with a slick UI and too many tokens. It’s a deeply engineered platform designed for the secure storage, orchestration, and governance of digital assets. Think of it as the armored vault behind the scenes of your favorite fintech app — only smarter, faster, and way more blockchain-savvy.

Metaco was founded in 2015 in Lausanne, Switzerland, a country where banking isn’t just an industry — it’s a national sport. From that legacy of discretion and precision, Metaco built a reputation in the crypto world as the go-to partner for financial institutions that needed bulletproof security and seamless digital asset integration. We’re talking tier-1 banks, asset managers, and exchanges that don’t mess around when it comes to compliance and control.

So why did Ripple care so much? Simple. XRP isn’t just a coin, it’s an infrastructure play. It’s designed to move value across borders, institutions, and regulatory firewalls without friction. To do that at scale, Ripple needed the kind of custody capabilities that could satisfy regulators, institutional clients, and enterprise-grade expectations. Metaco offered all of that — wrapped in Swiss precision and enterprise-grade APIs.

In crypto, custody is the cornerstone of trust. Without it, you’re just trading IOUs in the wild west. Metaco’s core product, Harmonize, is a modular digital asset orchestration engine that allows banks and institutions to manage, tokenise, and settle assets across multiple chains. And yes — that includes XRP. It supports full lifecycle management, from issuance to settlement, with airtight security controls and compliance baked into every transaction.

Ripple’s acquisition wasn’t just a wallet upgrade — it was a strategic acceleration into the institutional layer of blockchain finance. With Metaco in its toolkit, Ripple now offers an integrated custody solution that’s tailor-made for financial heavyweights. That means more secure XRP storage, streamlined tokenization, and the kind of governance tools that make regulators nod approvingly — or at least stop frowning.

And let’s not forget the timing. As the crypto industry matures and regulatory scrutiny intensifies, institutional investors are demanding real infrastructure. Not hype. Not memes. Real custody, real compliance, real control. Ripple saw the writing on the blockchain and acted decisively. That’s not just smart — it’s necessary for XRP to evolve as a key player in global finance.

Understanding Metaco and Its Impact on XRP

So what does Metaco’s integration mean for XRP holders, traders, and institutions? In a word: confidence. As more financial institutions explore blockchain-based solutions, the ability to securely custody digital assets like XRP becomes a non-negotiable requirement. Metaco’s infrastructure allows Ripple to deliver this security at scale, giving XRP a serious edge in adoption across trading platforms, cross-border payments, and decentralized finance ecosystems.

More importantly, Metaco’s technology enables Ripple to offer a full-stack solution to banks and fintech players looking to jump into digital asset markets. That’s massive for XRP, which thrives on interoperability and liquidity. With Metaco’s Harmonize platform, Ripple can now facilitate:

• Secure onboarding of XRP and other tokens into institutional portfolios
• Multi-chain asset management with real-time governance controls
• Regulator-friendly custody solutions that meet global compliance standards

This means XRP is no longer just a fast settlement asset — it’s now part of a broader institutional toolkit. From tokenization of real-world assets to decentralized finance integrations, Metaco gives Ripple the backend muscle to make XRP indispensable in modern financial workflows. And in a market where utility matters more than hype, that’s the kind of upgrade that can move the needle.

At XRPAuthority.com, we’ve tracked Ripple’s strategic plays since day one, and this one’s a doozy. As Metaco’s capabilities are fully integrated into Ripple’s enterprise offerings, expect to see XRP positioned not just as a liquidity bridge — but as a custody-ready, compliance-friendly asset fit for the next generation of global finance.

Products and services

Metaco doesn’t just offer custody — it offers control, orchestration, and compliance in one elegant, modular suite. At the heart of its product lineup is Harmonize, an institutional-grade orchestration engine that allows banks, asset managers, and regulated entities to securely manage and interact with digital assets across a wide range of blockchains. Harmonize isn’t just a vault — it’s command central for tokenized finance. From XRP custody to smart contract execution, it provides the infrastructure needed to bring digital assets into the regulated financial system without compromising on speed or security.

One of the standout features of Harmonize is its policy engine, which allows institutions to define granular governance rules around asset access, transaction approvals, and compliance workflows. This is particularly crucial for entities juggling multiple jurisdictions and asset classes. Whether you’re a central bank exploring CBDCs or a fintech firm adding XRP to your treasury, Harmonize lets you do it all with programmable compliance. And yes — that includes support for advanced, XRP-centric use cases like cross-border settlement, liquidity provisioning, and even tokenized real-world assets.

Beyond Harmonize, Metaco offers a suite of APIs and integrations that plug seamlessly into existing banking infrastructure. That means no rip-and-replace headaches — just smooth onboarding of digital assets into legacy systems. It’s plug-and-play for the token economy. And with Ripple’s backing, XRP gets first-class treatment within this ecosystem. Here’s what institutions can expect from Metaco’s product stack:

• Multi-asset custody: Support for XRP, Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and permissioned blockchains — all within a unified interface.
• Tokenization tools: Create, manage, and settle tokenized securities and real-world assets natively on-chain.
• Smart contract orchestration: Enable programmable workflows and DeFi integrations with institutional-grade security.
• Audit and compliance layer: Real-time tracking, reporting, and enforcement of internal controls to satisfy global regulators.
• Disaster recovery and resilience: Geo-redundant architecture and MPC (multi-party computation) key management for fail-safe operations.

What really sets Metaco apart is its composable architecture. Institutions don’t have to commit to a one-size-fits-all custody solution. Instead, they can pick and choose components — from cold storage to hot wallets, from token issuance to regulatory reporting — and build an asset management stack that fits their risk profile and business model. This modularity is a game-changer for XRP, especially as Ripple courts a diverse array of clients from traditional banks to fintech startups to sovereign institutions.

And let’s not gloss over the integration with Ripple’s Liquidity Hub. With Metaco’s custody infrastructure powering the secure storage and transfer of assets, XRP can flow more efficiently through enterprise liquidity channels, making it easier for institutions to tap into global markets with confidence. This unlocks new use cases for XRP, from instant treasury settlements to 24/7 FX trading — all backed by Swiss-grade custody tech.

In short, Metaco’s products are more than just feature-rich — they’re mission-critical. They don’t just store assets; they enable digital finance to operate at scale, with XRP playing the role of high-performance fuel in a newly optimized engine. Whether you’re a bank, an exchange, or a global payments provider, Metaco turns digital asset custody from a risk into a competitive advantage.

Partnerships and clients

In the world of institutional crypto custody, you don’t just gain credibility by writing whitepapers or flexing your blockchain vocabulary. You earn it by who trusts you with their assets. And Metaco? Let’s just say they’re not hanging out with amateurs. Before Ripple’s acquisition brought Metaco into the XRP ecosystem, the company had already inked deals with some of the biggest names in global finance — the kind of clients who wear suits to Zoom calls and ask about ISO 20022 compliance before they ask about tokenomics.

We’re talking heavyweight partnerships with top-tier banks like BBVA, Standard Chartered’s Zodia Custody, and Citibank, all of which have tapped Metaco to power their digital asset custody infrastructure. These aren’t speculative plays — they’re long-term strategic moves by institutions preparing to offer tokenized products, crypto trading services, and digital asset settlement. And guess what? With Ripple now owning Metaco, XRP is in pole position to be the default liquidity and settlement token in these next-gen financial ecosystems.

Let’s break down what this means for the XRP community and the broader blockchain finance space:

• Bank-grade validation: When the likes of Citi and BBVA choose Metaco, it signals that the infrastructure is robust enough to meet strict enterprise risk and compliance standards — a huge credibility boost for any asset integrated into that stack, including XRP.
• Accelerated XRP adoption: As Ripple integrates XRP support more deeply into Metaco’s client offerings, these institutions can begin piloting and scaling XRP-powered use cases like cross-border payments, liquidity provisioning, and tokenized asset transfers.
• Network effects through RippleNet: Existing RippleNet customers can seamlessly benefit from Metaco’s custody solutions, creating a feedback loop that strengthens XRP’s utility across Ripple’s expanding network of banks, fintechs, and financial platforms.

Even before the acquisition, Metaco had already positioned itself as a trusted partner for institutions looking to bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital assets. Post-acquisition, the synergies with Ripple have only amplified that trust. Now, clients working with Metaco aren’t just gaining custody infrastructure — they’re gaining access to Ripple’s XRP-powered liquidity rails, settlement tools, and decentralized finance integrations.

And it’s not just legacy banks jumping on board. Metaco has also partnered with fintech innovators and crypto-native firms looking to scale securely. From tokenization startups to digital asset exchanges, Metaco’s client roster reads like a who’s who of forward-looking finance. This diverse client base opens the door for XRP to become the connective tissue across multiple asset classes, use cases, and jurisdictions.

In short, Metaco’s partnerships aren’t just logos on a slide deck — they’re pipelines for XRP adoption. Whether it’s enabling a central bank to explore CBDCs or helping a fintech firm scale cross-border remittances, Metaco brings the infrastructure. Ripple brings the liquidity. XRP brings the speed and interoperability. It’s a trifecta that’s positioning XRP to be more than just a coin — it’s becoming the plumbing of next-generation finance.

Security and compliance

If there’s one thing that keeps institutional investors up at night — besides volatile markets and espresso-fueled crypto Twitter threads — it’s security. And in the world of digital assets, security isn’t just about keeping hackers out. It’s about meeting the relentless demands of compliance officers, regulators, auditors, and risk managers who have zero tolerance for “oops.” That’s where Metaco truly shines — and why Ripple’s acquisition was more than a tech buy; it was a regulatory chess move.

Metaco has built its reputation on delivering military-grade security with a Swiss flair for precision and auditability. Its infrastructure is anchored in multi-party computation (MPC) — a cryptographic technique that eliminates single points of failure by splitting private keys across multiple parties and locations. This means no one — not even internal staff — can unilaterally access or move assets. Combine that with hardware security modules (HSMs), secure enclaves, and geo-fenced infrastructure, and you’ve got a custody solution that doesn’t just talk the talk. It encrypts the walk.

But security is only half the battle. In today’s regulatory environment, compliance is the cost of entry — not an optional add-on. Financial institutions need to prove that every transaction, every policy change, and every access request is logged, auditable, and enforceable. Metaco addresses this with a granular policy engine that gives institutions total control over governance workflows. With support for jurisdiction-specific compliance rules, role-based access controls, and real-time audit trails, institutions can confidently manage XRP and other digital assets while staying inside the regulatory guardrails.

• Real-time compliance enforcement: Transactions are automatically screened against pre-defined policies, reducing manual intervention and human error.
• Tamper-proof audit logs: Every action within the system is cryptographically recorded for full transparency and regulatory reporting.
• Jurisdictional controls: Assets can be geofenced or restricted based on regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance across borders.
• Segregated key management: MPC and HSM-based key storage ensures that no single entity can compromise asset security.

For Ripple, this level of security and compliance is a game-changer. It allows them to offer XRP as a custody-ready asset to central banks, financial institutions, and regulated entities without triggering compliance red flags. Whether it’s FATF’s Travel Rule or MiCA’s licensing requirements, Metaco’s framework is built to adapt and scale. And that gives Ripple a unique edge in conversations with regulators and enterprise clients alike.

Let’s also talk about certifications — because in the institutional world, acronyms matter. Metaco’s infrastructure complies with top-tier security standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 Type II, both of which are gold standards for information security management. These aren’t just badges of honor — they’re essential prerequisites for onboarding XRP into regulated financial environments. Ripple didn’t just buy a secure vault; they bought a fully certified, compliance-first custody platform that can serve as the foundation for scaling XRP adoption globally.

As regulators continue to scrutinize the crypto space, and as institutional players demand transparency, control, and auditability, Metaco’s security and compliance stack ensures that Ripple can meet — and often exceed — those expectations. This is how XRP evolves from a fast remittance token into a fully institutional-grade asset class. And this is how Ripple positions itself not just as a blockchain innovator, but as a compliance-forward financial infrastructure provider.

At XRPAuthority.com, we believe the future of blockchain finance belongs to those who can scale securely, navigate compliance with confidence, and deliver real utility. Metaco is the linchpin in Ripple’s strategy to do just that. So if you’re ready to stay ahead of the curve — with insights, analysis, and updates you won’t find anywhere else — make XRPAuthority.com your daily go-to for everything XRP.