Earlier this month, blockchain payments firm Ripple Labs Inc made headlines with the acquisition of the Swiss-based institutional asset custody, trading, and DeFi-focused firm Metaco for $250 million. This acquisition could help Ripple expand its presence in the European Union significantly. Recently, Metaco and Ripple received congratulations from NASDAQ Global Select Market for the deal. This gesture has raised some interesting questions and sparked further speculation, as Ripple is a privately held firm and NASDAQ is a hub for publicly traded companies.
Ripple Labs aims to disrupt the payments ecosystem using blockchain technology, and NASDAQ has a deep affiliation with tech-based companies. The recognition of the deal may be entirely in order. Over the past few years, there have been discussions about Ripple contemplating going public through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The ongoing legal battle with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has, however, overshadowed these plans.
The recent recognition of Ripple’s latest business move by NASDAQ could serve as an advertisement for Ripple to choose NASDAQ as its trading platform if it decides to go public in the future. It is not unthinkable for Ripple to go public, as major cryptocurrency-focused firms like Coinbase Global Inc have gone public and successfully traded on NASDAQ. Ripple could potentially follow in their footsteps.
For Ripple to consider a public listing in the United States, it must conclude its securities lawsuit with the SEC, preferably with the case ending in its favor. Public listing indicates growth for any company, allowing it to gain additional investors who acknowledge the firm’s regulatory standing.
To achieve this move, Ripple must clear all forms of baggage, and many believe the case will be concluded soon. On one hand, going public could potentially open Ripple to greater scrutiny from the markets and regulators, which could have both positive and negative repercussions depending on the firm’s ability to navigate this new environment. On the other hand, going public could also be seen as a vote of confidence in Ripple’s blockchain technology and its potential to bring about positive disruption in the payments landscape.
However, it is essential for investors to do their market research before investing in cryptocurrencies, considering the unpredictability of the market and the ongoing lawsuit with the SEC. The successful resolution of the case and a well-planned public listing could pave the way for Ripple’s growth and increase its visibility in the industry, but only time will tell which path the company ultimately chooses.
Source: Coingape
