The recent acquisition of shares in the European crypto exchange Bitstamp by US fintech firm Ripple has sparked interest within the crypto community, as it represents another step in the company’s journey to expand internationally. While the details of the transaction remain undisclosed, Galaxy Digital’s latest quarterly report reveals that it advised crypto hedge fund Pantera Capital on the sale of Bitstamp shares to Ripple during the first quarter of this year.
Led by prominent crypto investor Dan Morehead, Pantera Capital is among the best-known crypto hedge funds in the US, and the reasons behind its decision to sell shares in Bitstamp remain unknown. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has previously expressed his company’s intentions to expand through acquisitions, with plans to use the more than $1 billion in reserves for this purpose.
Speaking at the Dubai Fintech Summit, Garlinghouse stated, “We have more than a billion US dollars in cash on our balance sheet, we want to deploy that to grow both organically internally but also inorganically through acquisitions.” He particularly noted the UAE and Switzerland as countries that provide clarity for entrepreneurs to invest, making them attractive destinations for larger companies like Ripple.
The acquisition of Bitstamp shares aligns with Ripple’s goal of international expansion, as highlighted by Christopher Ferraro, President and chief investment officer of Galaxy Digital, during the company’s earnings call on May 9. However, the move has also triggered a wave of speculation within the community, with questions arising about Ripple’s intentions to develop its On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) offering or to focus efforts on its Liquidity Hub (LH) solution.
An influencer who goes by the name WrathofKahneman brought attention to the acquisition via a tweet, emphasizing that it should be viewed from a strategic perspective rather than as a mere stock purchase. The influencer also pointed out that Bitstamp’s headquarters are located in London.
In conclusion, while Ripple’s recent acquisition of shares in the European crypto exchange Bitstamp is in line with its plans for international expansion, the move has generated both interest and skepticism within the crypto community. As Ripple’s intentions regarding the development of its products remain uncertain, only time will tell if this strategic move will prove fruitful for the company and its growing global ambitions.
Source: Cryptonews
