Metaco

Company overview

Ever wonder what happens when Swiss precision meets blockchain innovation? No, it’s not a luxury watch that mines Bitcoin while telling you the time in milliseconds. It’s Metaco — the crypto custody firm that Ripple scooped up for a cool 0 million in May 2023. And make no mistake, this wasn’t just a vanity acquisition. This was a strategic power move aimed at reinforcing Ripple’s dominance in institutional-grade digital asset management. I mean, who wouldn’t want a digital vault with vault-like security?

Let’s be honest — in a market where headlines are dominated by meme coins and rug pulls, infrastructure rarely gets the spotlight it deserves. But if you’re serious about XRP, blockchain finance, or institutional crypto trading, you already know that custody isn’t just backend tech — it’s the backbone of trust. Metaco is that backbone, and with Ripple at the helm, it’s now the spinal cord of a more secure, scalable, and compliant XRP ecosystem.

Headquartered in the crypto-friendly haven of Switzerland, Metaco was founded in 2015 with a laser focus on building secure, institutional-grade custody solutions. Think of it as the Fort Knox of digital assets — but smarter, faster, and without the gold bars. From day one, Metaco specialized in enabling banks, asset managers, and other financial institutions to securely store and manage crypto assets, including XRP, Bitcoin, and stablecoins, all while meeting the highest standards of regulatory compliance.

Now, why would Ripple, a company already knee-deep in remittances and real-time settlement, want to acquire a custody firm? Simple. Institutional demand for digital assets is exploding, and custody is the key that unlocks that door. With Metaco, Ripple doesn’t just get a vault — it gets the entire security infrastructure, API integrations, and multi-party computation (MPC) technologies that institutions demand. In other words, Ripple just leveled up in a big way.

Metaco’s flagship product, Harmonize, is a modular platform that allows institutions to orchestrate digital asset operations across multiple entities and jurisdictions. Translation: it makes managing digital assets as seamless as logging into your online banking — except with layers of cryptographic security that would make Fort Meade jealous. And yes, it supports XRP natively, further embedding the token into the fabric of institutional finance.

For XRP investors, this move is more than just a headline. It’s a signal. A signal that Ripple is building a vertically integrated ecosystem that combines liquidity, settlement, and now custody — all under one roof. And Metaco is the digital locksmith making that possible. So while others are speculating on the next pump, Ripple is out here building the infrastructure that will power the next decade of blockchain finance.

Understanding Metaco and Its Impact on XRP

Metaco isn’t just a trophy acquisition for Ripple — it’s a strategic cornerstone. By integrating Metaco’s custody tech, Ripple is enabling banks and financial institutions to securely store XRP and other digital assets without relying on third-party custodians. This eliminates a major point of friction for institutional adoption and gives Ripple unprecedented control over the full lifecycle of asset management — from issuance to storage to settlement.

Let’s break down why this matters for XRP and the broader blockchain finance ecosystem:

• Institutional-grade security: Metaco’s use of multi-party computation (MPC) ensures private keys are never centralized — a critical feature for banks managing millions in crypto assets.
• Regulatory alignment: Operating out of Switzerland gives Metaco a compliance-first advantage, aligning perfectly with Ripple’s global regulatory strategy.
• Native XRP support: Institutions can now manage XRP custody within the same infrastructure used for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins — putting XRP on equal footing with crypto heavyweights.

This acquisition also positions Ripple as a one-stop-shop for enterprise blockchain solutions. Need cross-border payments? Check. Need liquidity through On-Demand Liquidity (ODL)? Done. Need secure custody for XRP and other assets? Metaco handles that. This holistic approach isn’t just good business — it’s essential for mass adoption. Financial institutions don’t want twelve vendors; they want one trusted partner. Ripple is making a strong case to be that partner.

As the line between traditional finance and crypto continues to blur, the infrastructure behind the scenes will play a pivotal role. Thanks to Metaco, XRP is no longer just a fast, efficient digital asset — it’s now part of a secure, institutional-grade ecosystem that’s ready to scale globally.

At XRPAuthority.com, we’re not just watching this transformation — we’re decoding it for you. Whether you’re an investor, developer, or just XRP-curious, we’ve got your back with the insights that matter. Let’s build the future of blockchain finance, one smart decision at a time.

Products and services

Let’s talk tools — because in crypto, it’s not just about what you hold, it’s how you hold it. Metaco isn’t your average custody provider offering glorified cold storage. This is enterprise-grade tech purpose-built for the high-stakes world of institutional finance. At the heart of Metaco’s offering is its flagship platform, Harmonize, and trust me, the name doesn’t lie. This product orchestrates the chaos of digital asset custody into a symphony of security, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Harmonize is a modular, API-driven platform designed to plug directly into a financial institution’s existing infrastructure. It supports full lifecycle management of digital assets — issuance, storage, staking, trading, settlement — all from a single interface. And if you’re wondering whether it plays nicely with XRP… oh yes, it was basically made for it. Harmonize supports native custody of XRP, allowing institutions to integrate Ripple’s digital asset into their treasury and operational workflows without skipping a regulatory beat.

Here’s what makes Metaco’s product suite a game-changer for Ripple and the XRP ecosystem:

• Multi-party computation (MPC): Private keys are never fully assembled in one place, drastically reducing the risk of theft or compromise. Think of it as splitting the key to your digital vault into pieces only accessible when everyone agrees.
• Policy engine: Institutions can set granular governance rules — who can move what asset, when, and under what conditions. No more “oops” transactions or rogue traders going off the rails.
• Tokenization support: Whether it’s tokenized real estate, equities, or CBDCs, Harmonize supports the custody and management of tokenized assets, putting XRP right in the middle of the tokenized asset revolution.
• Cloud-agnostic deployment: Whether your institution runs on AWS, Azure, or prefers on-premise servers, Metaco’s architecture adapts. It’s the Swiss Army knife of digital asset infrastructure — versatile, reliable, and built to last.

But it doesn’t stop there. Metaco also offers advanced key management solutions that integrate seamlessly with hardware security modules (HSMs), as well as mobile and desktop interfaces for operational teams. This isn’t just custody — it’s a full-stack command center for digital asset management. And with Ripple’s global reach, these tools are being positioned in front of the world’s largest banks and payment providers, many of whom are already exploring XRP for real-time settlement and liquidity.

And let’s not forget the compliance layer. Metaco’s solutions are designed to meet the strictest regulatory requirements, including SOC 2 Type II certification, GDPR, and FATF travel rule compliance. For XRP, that means institutional investors now have a fully compliant, out-of-the-box custody solution — no duct tape or workarounds required.

Bottom line? Metaco’s product suite isn’t just a feature set — it’s a strategic enabler. It transforms XRP from a fast digital asset into a fully integrated component of institutional finance. And as the tokenization of everything continues, from stocks to carbon credits, XRP’s role will only grow stronger within this infrastructure. Metaco provides the tools, Ripple provides the rails, and together, they’re building the financial system of tomorrow.

Partnerships and clients

When you’re building enterprise-grade infrastructure, your dance partners matter — and Metaco doesn’t exactly tango with lightweights. Before Ripple entered the picture, Metaco had already built an impressive client roster featuring some of the most respected names in global finance. Think tier-1 banks, central banks, and multinational asset managers. These aren’t your average weekend traders; these are institutions that move billions — and they trusted Metaco with their digital asset custody. That alone speaks volumes.

One of Metaco’s most high-profile clients is BBVA Switzerland, the Swiss arm of the Spanish banking giant BBVA. In 2021, BBVA launched its crypto trading and custody service using Metaco’s Harmonize platform, enabling its private banking clients to manage Bitcoin and other digital assets directly through their existing banking interface. That’s not just convenience — that’s a tectonic shift in how traditional finance interacts with crypto. And with Ripple now owning Metaco, you can bet XRP is going to be front and center in future deployments of this kind.

Another heavyweight in Metaco’s portfolio is UnionBank of the Philippines, one of Southeast Asia’s most forward-thinking banks. UnionBank integrated Harmonize to launch its digital asset custody and trading services, targeting both retail and institutional clients. The move positioned the bank as a regional leader in blockchain finance — and now, with Ripple’s acquisition, XRP is perfectly placed to become the liquidity bridge for emerging markets. That’s a big deal in a region where remittances and cross-border payments are a daily necessity, not just a fintech buzzword.

• Geographic reach: Metaco’s clients span Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America — giving Ripple instant access to global markets hungry for XRP-based solutions.
• Cross-industry adoption: Clients include not only banks but also fintechs, exchanges, and asset managers — all of whom can now integrate XRP into their custody and settlement flows.
• Ripple synergy: With Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) and payment rails already in play, Metaco’s partnerships offer seamless integration points for XRP to function as both a store of value and a bridge currency.

And let’s not overlook the ripple effect (pun absolutely intended) of these partnerships. When a central bank, like the Bank of Thailand, explores digital asset custody using Metaco, it sends a very clear signal: crypto is no longer a fringe experiment — it’s a core part of the future financial stack. For XRP holders, this is more than just validation; it’s a strategic advantage. Ripple now has direct access to the decision-makers shaping the next generation of financial systems — and Metaco is the Trojan horse delivering XRP into those conversations.

What’s even more exciting? Most of these partnerships were formed before Ripple acquired Metaco. Now that Ripple has full control, we can expect tighter XRP integration, from native custody to settlement and compliance workflows. Whether it’s a bank in Zurich or a payment provider in Jakarta, the playbook is the same: secure custody through Metaco, liquidity through RippleNet, and blazing-fast settlement via XRP.

At XRPAuthority.com, we’re keeping a close eye on how these partnerships evolve — because each new client, each integration, each system upgrade is another step toward XRP becoming the backbone of institutional blockchain finance. Stay tuned, because the best is yet to come.

Security and compliance

Let’s face it — in crypto, security isn’t just a feature. It’s the whole pitch. You can have the slickest user interface and the most intuitive blockchain explorer on the planet, but if your private keys are floating around like confetti at a New Year’s party, you’re toast. This is where Metaco flexes its Swiss-engineered muscles. Built from the ground up with zero-compromise security, Metaco’s architecture isn’t just hardened — it’s institutional-grade, regulatory-aligned, and battle-tested across global financial sectors. And now, with Ripple in the driver’s seat, XRP is buckled into the front row of that armored vehicle.

Metaco’s approach to digital asset security revolves around a few key pillars, starting with multi-party computation (MPC). If you’re new to MPC, think of it as the crypto world’s version of a nuclear launch protocol — multiple key shares are distributed across different parties, and no single entity ever holds the full private key. This drastically reduces the attack surface, and it’s especially critical for institutions managing high-value assets like XRP. With MPC in play, even if one node is compromised, the keys — and your assets — remain safe.

But Metaco doesn’t stop at clever cryptography. Its systems are designed to meet the highest standards of compliance in a world where regulators are sharpening their pencils faster than you can say MiCA. From GDPR and FATF Travel Rule adherence to SOC 2 Type II certification, Metaco checks all the boxes. This is a big win for Ripple, which has long been focused on aligning XRP with global compliance frameworks. Institutional players don’t just need custody — they need custody that passes audits, survives scrutiny, and scales across jurisdictions. Metaco delivers on all three fronts.

• End-to-end encryption: All data — in transit and at rest — is protected with military-grade encryption, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of digital assets.
• Granular access controls: Role-based permissions and policy-based governance mean that only authorized personnel can initiate asset transfers — and only under pre-approved conditions.
• Auditability and transparency: Every interaction with the platform is logged immutably, providing a clear audit trail for compliance teams and regulators alike.
• Regulatory sandbox compatibility: Metaco’s flexible architecture allows financial institutions to experiment with digital assets while staying within legal guardrails, making it ideal for central banks and regulated entities exploring XRP.

And here’s the kicker — all of this security and compliance infrastructure is natively compatible with XRP. That means banks and financial institutions can custody, transact, and settle XRP with the same level of security they use for Bitcoin or tokenized securities. No third-party plugins. No duct tape. Just seamless, secure operations. It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes magic that makes XRP a viable asset for institutional portfolios, not just speculative trading.

What does this mean for the XRP ecosystem? Everything. We’re talking about a future where XRP isn’t just fast and cheap — it’s also secure, compliant, and enterprise-ready. That’s the holy trinity for institutional adoption. And with Metaco’s infrastructure now fully in Ripple’s toolbox, XRP is better positioned than ever to serve as a compliant bridge asset in a world moving toward tokenized finance.

So while the headlines might focus on price charts and market cycles, the real value is being built quietly — in code, in compliance protocols, and in secure custody frameworks like Metaco’s. If you’re serious about XRP’s role in the future of blockchain finance, you can’t afford to overlook the infrastructure that’s making it all possible.

At XRPAuthority.com, we don’t just cover the news — we decode the strategy. Because in this market, knowledge isn’t just power — it’s alpha. Stick with us for deep dives, real talk, and the kind of insights that help you stay ahead of the curve in XRP, Ripple, and the evolving world of blockchain finance.