Metaco

Company overview

Ever tried explaining crypto custody to your grandmother? Yeah, me too. It’s like trying to explain NFTs to a golden retriever. But here’s the thing — in the world of blockchain finance, custody isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the backbone of secure asset management. And when Ripple dropped a cool 0 million in May 2023 to acquire Metaco, you know it wasn’t just for the pretty logo. It was a strategic power play in a game where trust, security, and scalability are everything.

Let’s face it — the crypto landscape isn’t exactly known for its lack of drama. Hacks, rug pulls, and disappearing exchanges have made institutional investors understandably skittish. That’s where Metaco comes in. Based in Switzerland (because where else would a company synonymous with precision and neutrality be headquartered?), Metaco has carved out a reputation as a fortress of digital asset security. And now, with Ripple at the helm, it’s positioned to be the Fort Knox of blockchain finance.

Metaco didn’t just pop out of the Alps yesterday. Founded in 2015, this fintech powerhouse has spent years building a secure, scalable, and fully integrated platform for digital asset custody. Think of it as the armored truck behind your XRP wallet — except it’s not just hauling XRP, but a full convoy of digital assets across multiple blockchains. And it’s doing it with military-grade security protocols and institutional-grade compliance baked into its DNA.

So why did Ripple make the move? Simple: institutional custody is the next frontier. If blockchain is the new internet, then custody solutions are the secure servers that keep it all running. Ripple’s acquisition of Metaco wasn’t just about adding another layer to its ecosystem — it was about owning the infrastructure that supports real-world blockchain use cases. The kind that attract central banks, asset managers, and fintech giants who don’t just want to play in the crypto sandbox — they want to build the castle.

And let’s not forget the XRP angle. As Ripple continues to position XRP as the bridge currency for cross-border payments, liquidity hubs, and tokenized assets, having rock-solid custody solutions is non-negotiable. With Metaco in its portfolio, Ripple can now offer its institutional partners a secure way to manage not only XRP, but also a wide range of tokenized assets — all while staying compliant with the ever-evolving regulatory landscape.

In a world where one rogue private key can tank your entire operation, Metaco brings the kind of peace of mind that institutional investors crave. It’s not just about holding assets — it’s about managing them with the precision, transparency, and scalability that define next-gen finance. And Ripple, ever the forward-thinker, knew exactly what it was doing when it brought Metaco into the fold.

Understanding Metaco and Its Impact on XRP

Now, let’s talk synergy. The Ripple–Metaco alliance isn’t just a headline for crypto news junkies — it’s a seismic shift in how digital assets like XRP are stored, traded, and trusted. Metaco enhances Ripple’s institutional-grade offerings by integrating a full-stack custody solution that supports multiple layers of governance, asset segregation, and real-time auditing. That’s not just good; it’s game-changing.

More importantly, it turbocharges XRP’s utility in enterprise-grade applications. Whether it’s powering liquidity for decentralized finance (DeFi), facilitating instant cross-border settlements, or anchoring tokenized real-world assets, XRP needs to be secure, accessible, and compliant. Metaco delivers on all three fronts, making it easier for financial institutions to confidently adopt XRP in their operations. Let’s not forget: institutional money doesn’t move without institutional confidence — and that confidence starts with custody.

• Military-grade security: Metaco’s platform is built with multi-party computation (MPC) and hardware security modules (HSMs) to safeguard digital assets.
• Multi-asset support: XRP is just the beginning — Metaco supports a wide range of blockchains and token types, from stablecoins to CBDCs.
• Regulatory compliance: Designed to meet stringent Swiss and global regulatory standards, giving institutions peace of mind.
• Modular architecture: Flexible integration with existing banking infrastructure and enterprise systems, enabling rapid deployment.

With Ripple’s global network and Metaco’s custody backbone, the future of blockchain finance is looking more secure — and more XRP-friendly — than ever. It’s a match made in crypto heaven, and it’s setting the stage for XRP to become the preferred digital asset in institutional-grade finance.

At XRPAuthority.com, we don’t just follow the news — we decode it. As XRP continues to evolve into a cornerstone of global finance, we’ll be here with the insights, analysis, and edge you need to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or just XRP-curious, this is your home for everything Ripple, blockchain, and beyond. Let’s build the future — one XRP at a time.

Products and services

Let’s get one thing straight — Metaco isn’t your average digital vault with a shiny UI and a “forgot password” button. This is institutional-grade infrastructure purpose-built for the big leagues. We’re talking about a custody platform so robust, it makes Fort Knox look like a bike lock. Metaco’s flagship product, Harmonize, is the crown jewel — a versatile orchestration layer that enables banks, exchanges, and asset managers to securely manage digital assets across multiple use cases and jurisdictions.

Harmonize isn’t just a dashboard with bells and whistles. It’s a full-blown digital asset operating system. Picture this: you’re a global bank with operations in five continents, managing tokenized securities, stablecoins, and (of course) XRP. Harmonize allows you to define detailed governance policies, automate workflows, and integrate seamlessly with legacy systems — all while remaining compliant with local regulations. It’s not just about storing crypto; it’s about managing the who, what, when, and how of asset interaction.

What sets Metaco apart in a sea of copy-paste custodians is its modular, API-first design. This means institutions can plug into Metaco’s services without overhauling their core infrastructure. Flexibility is the name of the game, and that’s critical when you’re dealing with everything from tokenized real estate in Dubai to CBDCs in Europe. And with Ripple now steering the ship, XRP is front and center in these evolving ecosystems. Institutions can confidently custody XRP alongside other digital assets, ensuring secure liquidity provisioning and seamless settlement infrastructure.

• Harmonize Platform: Multi-tenant, multi-asset orchestration with bank-grade governance and scalability.
• MPC and HSM Integration: Combines the best of cryptographic security and hardware protection for unmatched asset safety.
• Tokenization Support: Whether you’re minting NFTs or issuing tokenized bonds, Metaco’s platform is built to support the full lifecycle of digital assets.
• Global Interoperability: Designed to operate across jurisdictions and regulatory frameworks, ideal for cross-border finance and multinational banks.

And let’s not ignore the elephant in the blockchain — compliance. Metaco’s services are built with regulatory clarity in mind, something that’s been a thorn in the side of many crypto-native firms. From role-based access control to audit-ready reporting, every layer of their product suite screams “institution-ready.” Combine that with Ripple’s enterprise relationships and the XRP Ledger’s blazing-fast transaction speeds, and you’ve got a solution that doesn’t just check boxes — it redraws them.

For XRP, this is a turbo boost. With Metaco’s customizable custody stack, financial institutions can now build XRP-powered products with confidence, knowing their assets are protected by industry-leading infrastructure. Whether it’s for treasury management, cross-border liquidity, or tokenized asset custody, Metaco offers the tools to bring XRP into real-world finance — without compromising security or compliance.

Partnerships and clients

When it comes to building trust in blockchain finance, who you work with says a lot about what you’re capable of. Metaco isn’t just another crypto custody firm knocking on the doors of traditional finance — it’s already inside the room, seated at the table, and speaking the language of Tier 1 banks, central banks, and global asset managers. Their client roster reads like a who’s who of institutional finance, and that’s no accident. These partnerships are a direct result of Metaco’s obsessive focus on security, compliance, and interoperability — all critical ingredients when you’re safeguarding billions in digital assets.

Let’s talk numbers and names. Before Ripple’s acquisition, Metaco had already secured strategic relationships with some of the most respected financial institutions on the planet. Think Citi, BBVA, DBS Bank, and BNP Paribas — not exactly your average DeFi degens. These aren’t pilot projects or vanity partnerships; we’re talking full-scale digital asset operations powered by Metaco’s Harmonize platform. And now, with Ripple’s backing and XRP integration baked into the ecosystem, these clients can leverage XRP for real-time settlement, liquidity management, and tokenized asset custody — all within the same infrastructure they already trust.

• BBVA Switzerland: One of the first banks in Europe to offer digital asset services, BBVA uses Metaco’s infrastructure to enable secure Bitcoin and crypto trading for private banking clients.
• UnionBank of the Philippines: A trailblazer in Asia’s digital banking transformation, UnionBank has partnered with Metaco to launch crypto custody services, setting the stage for XRP-based remittances in a region that moves billions across borders every year.
• Citigroup: While details remain under wraps, Citi’s pilot programs with Metaco signal a major institutional shift toward integrating digital asset custody into their global banking services — a move that could bring XRP into play for massive cross-border flows.

What makes these partnerships so impactful for Ripple — and by extension, XRP — is their scalability and regulatory depth. Metaco isn’t just providing custody services; it’s embedding digital asset infrastructure into the core banking stack. That means XRP is no longer a “nice to have” — it becomes a foundational component in how these institutions move money, tokenize assets, and build new financial products. And let’s be honest, when a global bank signs off on using XRP for settlement, it’s not because they saw a cool meme on Twitter. It’s because the tech works, the custody is secure, and the compliance checks out.

For crypto investors tracking XRP’s trajectory, Metaco’s client base is more than just bragging rights — it’s a real-world indicator of institutional adoption. These are the players that move markets, and they’re not just dipping their toes into blockchain; they’re diving in with Ripple and Metaco as the lifeguards. That’s not hype — that’s hard infrastructure meeting high finance, and XRP is riding the wave.

Security and compliance

If there’s one thing institutional investors love more than yield, it’s certainty. And in the crypto world, certainty starts with security and compliance — the twin pillars that Metaco has built into every byte of its infrastructure. While some custody platforms slap on a few firewalls and call it a day, Metaco goes full James Bond. We’re talking multi-layered security protocols, cryptographic governance, and regulatory alignment so tight it could pass a Swiss bank stress test — which, by the way, it has.

At the core of Metaco’s security stack is its use of multi-party computation (MPC) alongside hardware security modules (HSMs). This isn’t just buzzword bingo — it’s cutting-edge tech that ensures no single point of failure can compromise a digital asset. With MPC, private keys are never fully reconstructed; instead, they’re mathematically split and distributed across multiple secure environments. Combine that with HSMs — tamper-proof hardware devices used by banks and governments — and you’ve got a custody solution that’s practically bulletproof. That’s the kind of infrastructure that makes even the most risk-averse compliance officers sleep at night.

• Multi-party computation (MPC): Key shares are distributed and never exposed in full, reducing the threat of internal and external breaches.
• FIPS 140-2 Level 3 HSMs: Certified hardware modules that meet U.S. government-grade security standards.
• Role-based access control (RBAC): Granular permissions ensure that only authorized personnel can initiate, approve, or execute transactions.
• Real-time audit trails: Every action is logged and verifiable, allowing for instant traceability and regulatory compliance.

But security is only half the equation — compliance is where Metaco shines. Operating out of Switzerland, a jurisdiction known for its strict financial oversight and crypto-forward regulatory stance, Metaco has engineered its platform to align with global standards like FATF’s Travel Rule, GDPR, and MiCA. Its Harmonize platform is built with native compliance tooling, enabling institutions to meet Know Your Customer (KYC), Anti-Money Laundering (AML), and transaction monitoring requirements — all without compromising user experience or operational efficiency.

And let’s be clear: this isn’t just theoretical. Metaco’s compliance framework has been battle-tested by Tier 1 banks and regulatory bodies across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. That means when a central bank or global asset manager wants to custody XRP — or any other digital asset — they’re not just getting best-in-class security; they’re getting a platform that regulators already understand and approve. For Ripple, this is a strategic jackpot. With XRP positioned as a liquidity bridge for tokenized assets and cross-border payments, regulatory trust is the key that unlocks scale — and Metaco is the master locksmith.

In today’s climate, where headlines about crypto fraud and exchange collapses dominate the news cycle, institutions need more than promises — they need proof. Metaco delivers that proof in the form of independently audited codebases, penetration testing by third-party security firms, and a compliance architecture that’s as transparent as it is bulletproof. That’s not just good for Metaco. That’s rocket fuel for XRP’s institutional adoption.

At XRPAuthority.com, we believe in building bridges — between technology and trust, innovation and integrity. Metaco’s security and compliance framework isn’t just a checkbox for due diligence; it’s the foundation of a financial future where XRP can thrive. Stick with us as we continue to decode the digital asset revolution, one secure, compliant, XRP-powered transaction at a time.