Metaco

Company background

Ever try explaining to your grandmother how her life savings could one day be secured on a decentralized ledger and guarded by Swiss cryptographers? Yeah, me neither. But that’s essentially the world we’re stepping into — and Metaco is right at the center of that evolution. Based in the land of chocolate, watches, and precision banking, Metaco is Switzerland’s answer to the ever-growing demand for institutional-grade digital asset custody. And when Ripple dropped a cool 0 million to acquire them in May 2023, the crypto world didn’t just raise eyebrows — it raised expectations.

Now, let’s pause and ask the obvious: Why would a U.S.-based fintech heavyweight like Ripple invest nine figures into a Swiss crypto custody firm? Because in the blockchain arms race, custody is the vault, and Metaco is Fort Knox with a Swiss accent. In a space where security breaches can cost millions in seconds, Metaco’s infrastructure is designed not only to prevent those disasters but to enable financial institutions to sleep at night — and maybe even dream of XRP moonshots.

Founded in 2015, Metaco didn’t just stumble into the limelight. It was built from the ground up to solve one of the most critical problems in digital finance: how to store, manage, and transfer digital assets securely at an institutional scale. This isn’t your cousin’s MetaMask wallet. We’re talking about a platform that integrates with core banking systems, supports multi-party computation (MPC), hardware security modules (HSMs), and offers full policy enforcement for compliance-driven environments.

Metaco’s flagship product, Harmonize, isn’t just a clever name — it’s a sophisticated orchestration engine that allows banks, asset managers, and custodians to handle digital assets with the same confidence they’ve had in fiat for decades. Harmonize enables seamless integration between a financial institution’s existing infrastructure and the brave new world of blockchain. It’s like giving a 100-year-old bank a Web3 upgrade — without the existential crisis.

Before Ripple swooped in with its acquisition, Metaco had already earned its stripes by partnering with global Tier 1 banks like BBVA and Standard Chartered. That credibility made them a natural fit for Ripple’s vision of institutional-grade blockchain finance. With RippleNet and XRP already powering real-time cross-border payments, adding Metaco’s expertise in custody effectively closed the loop — creating a full-stack solution for financial institutions looking to embrace digital assets without losing regulatory compliance or sleep.

And let’s not forget the Swiss factor. Switzerland’s regulatory environment has long been crypto-friendly, and Metaco’s adherence to rigorous compliance standards made it a trusted partner for banks navigating the murky waters of digital asset regulation. In a world where blockchain finance often feels like the Wild West, Metaco brought law, order, and Swiss efficiency.

Ripple’s acquisition wasn’t just about expanding its service portfolio — it was a chess move. One that positions XRP as more than just a bridge currency. With Metaco in the fold, Ripple now offers end-to-end solutions that cover everything from liquidity to custody, making XRP a central pillar in the infrastructure of next-gen fintech and trading.

Understanding Metaco and Its Impact on XRP

Metaco’s integration into the Ripple ecosystem isn’t just a backend upgrade — it’s a paradigm shift for how XRP fits into institutional finance. With Harmonize now part of Ripple’s arsenal, financial institutions can securely store and manage XRP alongside other digital assets, all within a compliant, scalable infrastructure. This positions XRP not just as a liquidity token, but as an institutional-grade asset ready for mainstream adoption.

Let’s be clear: custody is the unsung hero of blockchain finance. You can’t tokenize real-world assets, execute high-frequency trades, or issue crypto-backed loans without secure, compliant custody. By acquiring Metaco, Ripple effectively removed one of the biggest barriers to institutional XRP adoption. Now, banks and asset managers have the tools to:

• Integrate XRP custody within existing banking infrastructure
• Comply with global regulatory frameworks for digital asset management
• Access real-time settlement capabilities using XRP as bridge liquidity
• Secure high-value assets with multi-layered encryption and policy controls

That’s not just technical advancement — that’s strategic enablement. It’s what turns XRP from a speculative asset into a foundational layer of global finance. And with Ripple’s ongoing push into CBDCs, stablecoins, and cross-border settlements, having Metaco in the mix ensures that XRP remains at the heart of it all — safe, secure, and ready to scale.

At XRPAuthority.com, we’ve been tracking these moves since day one. With Ripple’s acquisition of Metaco, the narrative around XRP is evolving rapidly — and we’re here to help you stay ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just XRP-curious, trust us to cut through the noise and deliver insights that matter. Because in crypto, timing isn’t everything — insight is.

Core products and services

Let’s talk tech — because at the heart of Metaco’s value is a suite of enterprise-grade products that don’t just store digital assets; they elevate how institutions interact with them. The crown jewel? Harmonize. This isn’t your average custody solution; Harmonize is a modular, API-first orchestration platform purpose-built for banks, asset managers, and regulated institutions. It’s like Kubernetes for crypto custody, with the security posture of a Swiss bank vault and the flexibility of a fintech startup on espresso.

Harmonize allows financial institutions to seamlessly manage multiple digital assets — including XRP — across both hot and cold storage environments. It supports multi-party computation (MPC) and hardware security modules (HSMs), creating a layered, zero-trust architecture that meets the stringent demands of institutional compliance. Think of it as a digital asset command center, where risk policies, transaction workflows, and custody permissions are not only programmable but enforceable at scale. That’s a game-changer for integrating XRP into high-value workflows like cross-border payments, tokenized asset management, and collateralized lending.

Beyond asset storage, Metaco’s platform offers robust policy engines and audit trails — crucial features for any institution navigating today’s regulatory minefield. The ability to define complex governance models, enforce transaction approvals, and generate real-time audit logs means Harmonize doesn’t just secure assets — it secures trust. And when XRP is involved in settlements or liquidity provisioning, that trust becomes a competitive advantage.

• Multi-asset support: XRP, BTC, ETH, stablecoins, and tokenized assets all under one platform
• Customizable governance: Fine-grained access controls and automated approval workflows
• Regulatory readiness: Real-time compliance monitoring and audit reporting
• Bank-grade security: MPC, HSMs, and disaster recovery protocols baked in
• Seamless integration: APIs for core banking, trading desks, and blockchain networks

What does this mean for XRP? In a word: viability. With Harmonize, institutions don’t just “hold” XRP — they operationalize it. They can integrate XRP into treasury operations, FX hedging strategies, or instant settlement layers — all while maintaining compliance and security standards that regulators love. It’s the infrastructure XRP has needed to transition from crypto darling to institutional mainstay.

And let’s not overlook the ripple effect (pun absolutely intended). By embedding Harmonize across Ripple’s enterprise ecosystem, we’re seeing a convergence of custody, liquidity, and compliance — the trifecta for modern blockchain finance. This isn’t just about safeguarding XRP; it’s about unlocking its full potential in a multi-trillion-dollar digital asset economy.

Partnerships and collaborations

When it comes to building credibility in crypto, partnerships aren’t just nice — they’re necessary. And Metaco has been playing chess while others are still figuring out checkers. Before Ripple’s acquisition, Metaco had already inked strategic alliances with some of the world’s most respected financial institutions. We’re talking about names like BBVA, Standard Chartered, and Citibank — not exactly your average crypto startup clientele. These collaborations weren’t just flashy PR moves; they were concrete validations of Metaco’s institutional-grade infrastructure, and by extension, a vote of confidence in the future of XRP as a bankable asset.

Let’s break it down. When BBVA partnered with Metaco to launch its digital asset custody services in Switzerland, it wasn’t just for show — it was about building a compliant, secure gateway into crypto for high-net-worth clients. Standard Chartered followed suit, leveraging Metaco’s tech via Zodia Custody, a joint venture with Northern Trust. These aren’t fly-by-night crypto firms; these are legacy banks with centuries of experience, now leaning on Metaco to bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain. That’s a strong signal for XRP investors, because it shows that institutional players are not only entering the digital asset arena — they’re doing so with infrastructure that supports XRP at the core.

And then there’s Ripple. Post-acquisition, the synergy between Ripple’s global payments network and Metaco’s custody solutions has only deepened. Ripple has actively woven Metaco’s capabilities into its broader product suite, enabling end-to-end workflows that include liquidity provisioning, settlement, and now — secure, compliant custody. That means Ripple’s partners, which include over 300 financial institutions across more than 40 countries, now have streamlined access to Metaco’s custody solutions. For XRP, this is a golden ticket into institutional portfolios, cross-border payment rails, and even central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilots.

• BBVA: Integrated Metaco to offer secure crypto custody for clients in Switzerland
• Standard Chartered: Partnered via Zodia Custody to provide institutional-grade digital asset services
• Citibank: Collaborated with Metaco to explore digital asset custody and tokenization strategies
• Ripple Partner Network: Now enhanced by Metaco’s infrastructure across custody, compliance, and security

These partnerships aren’t just about logos on a slide deck — they’re about building the connective tissue of tomorrow’s financial system. With Metaco as the custody backbone and Ripple as the liquidity engine, XRP is no longer a niche asset — it’s a critical component of blockchain finance infrastructure. And as more institutions adopt Ripple’s full-stack solutions, powered by Metaco, we’re going to see XRP embedded deeper into the workflows of banks, fintechs, and global payment providers.

So yes, partnerships matter — especially when they’re this strategic. Whether it’s enabling tokenized securities in Europe or supporting CBDC pilots in Asia, Metaco’s collaborations are opening doors for XRP that were once bolted shut. And at XRPAuthority.com, we’re watching every hinge swing open, one partnership at a time.

Regulatory compliance and security

Let’s face it — in the world of blockchain finance, compliance isn’t just a checkbox; it’s the moat around the castle. And Metaco? It’s the architect, the moat-digger, and the guard tower wrapped into one. While many crypto firms treat regulation like a necessary evil, Metaco embraces it like a Swiss banker hugs a confidentiality agreement. That’s precisely why Ripple saw a strategic gem in this acquisition: a custody platform built not just for scale, but for scrutiny.

Metaco’s infrastructure was designed from day one to meet the highest global regulatory standards. We’re talking ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and FINMA-compliant practices — acronyms that may not trend on Twitter but mean everything in a boardroom. Harmonize, Metaco’s flagship platform, includes real-time compliance monitoring, automated policy enforcement, and auditable transaction flows. That’s not just helpful — that’s mission-critical when you’re dealing with institutional capital and regulatory watchdogs.

• Real-time compliance monitoring: Ensures every transaction meets jurisdictional requirements
• Custom policy enforcement: Institutions can define and enforce rules based on their risk appetite
• Audit-ready architecture: Complete transaction logs and permission trails for regulators
• Data residency controls: Aligns with regional data protection laws like GDPR and MiFID II

Security-wise, Metaco doesn’t play defense — it plays fortress. The platform leverages multi-party computation (MPC) to eliminate single points of failure, hardware security modules (HSMs) for cold storage, and zero-trust architecture for system-wide integrity. From biometric access controls to geo-fencing transaction approvals, Metaco’s security stack reads like a James Bond gadget manual — except it’s real, operational, and trusted by global banks.

And here’s where XRP steps into the spotlight. With Metaco now under Ripple’s wing, XRP custody is no longer a security question mark for institutions — it’s a security benchmark. Banks that were once wary of holding digital assets like XRP due to unclear compliance pathways now have a fully auditable, regulator-approved solution. That’s not just comforting — it’s catalytic. It means XRP can be used in:

• Collateralized lending platforms with full regulatory oversight
• Tokenized asset exchanges where compliance is non-negotiable
• Cross-border payment systems that must meet FATF and AML standards
• CBDC projects with central banks requiring bulletproof custody frameworks

In other words, Metaco doesn’t just make XRP custody possible — it makes it palatable to regulators, attractive to institutions, and scalable across jurisdictions. That’s the holy trinity of blockchain finance right there. And as regulatory frameworks like MiCA in Europe and the SEC’s evolving stance in the U.S. continue to shape the landscape, Metaco ensures Ripple — and XRP — stay not just compliant, but competitive.

At XRPAuthority.com, we believe that true crypto adoption isn’t driven by hype — it’s driven by trust. And trust is earned through security, compliance, and transparency. With Metaco integrated into Ripple’s ecosystem, XRP is no longer just a fast, efficient digital asset — it’s a secure, compliant, and institution-ready financial instrument. Stay tuned, because the future of blockchain finance is being built now — and we’re watching every block, byte, and breakthrough.