TLDR
- Ripple is acquiring Rail, a Toronto-based stablecoin payments platform, for $200 million in a deal expected to close Q4 2025
- Rail provides virtual accounts and automated back-office systems that let customers transact in digital assets without needing crypto bank accounts or exchange wallets
- The acquisition aims to boost Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, which has over $600 million market cap since December launch
- Rail has 12+ banking partners and serves fintechs, payment providers, neobanks, and enterprise organizations
- This follows Ripple’s $1.25 billion Hidden Road acquisition in April and previous $4-5 billion offer for Circle
Ripple announced Thursday it will acquire Rail, a Toronto-based stablecoin payments platform, for $200 million. The deal represents Ripple’s latest move to strengthen its position in the growing stablecoin market.
🚀 SWIFT WARNING: @Ripple just acquired Rail Finance for $200M
This isn't just another crypto acquisition – it's a strategic play that could reshape how businesses move money globally.What Rail brings to the table:
1. Processes 10% of the $36B global B2B stablecoin payments… pic.twitter.com/nlEUEK5yKm
— PaulBarron (@paulbarron) August 7, 2025
The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. Rail is backed by Galaxy Ventures and Accomplice and specializes in digital asset payment solutions.
Rail operates with over 12 banking partners and serves various clients including fintechs, payment providers, neobanks, and enterprise organizations. The platform offers virtual accounts and automated back-office systems that allow customers to transact in digital assets.
The virtual account feature eliminates the need for customers to open dedicated crypto bank accounts or wallets on exchanges. This streamlines the process for businesses looking to integrate digital asset payments.
Rail’s platform includes key compliance features such as know-your-customer workflows, compliance monitoring, and transaction oversight. These capabilities are designed specifically for banking partners operating in regulated environments.
The acquisition will help Ripple promote its RLUSD stablecoin, which launched in December 2024. RLUSD currently has a market capitalization of over $600 million, placing it among the top stablecoins by market value.
Strategic Payment Focus
The deal follows Ripple’s broader strategy to expand payment services beyond traditional cross-border transfers. Rail’s technology will enable Ripple to offer more comprehensive stablecoin payment solutions to its global customer base.
Ripple President Monica Long emphasized the growing importance of stablecoins in modern finance. She stated the acquisition positions Ripple to drive innovation and adoption in global payments using stablecoins and blockchain technology.
The companies plan to focus on payment ramps that allow customers to swap between stablecoins and traditional payment formats. This bridge between digital and traditional finance could appeal to businesses hesitant to fully embrace cryptocurrency.
Recent Acquisition Activity
This purchase follows Ripple’s acquisition of multi-asset prime brokerage firm Hidden Road for $1.25 billion in April 2025. That deal aimed to expand Ripple’s clearing and finance operations with plans to create the world’s largest non-bank prime broker.
Ripple previously attempted to acquire Circle for $4-5 billion, but the stablecoin giant chose to go public instead. Circle’s successful public offering has delivered strong returns for IPO investors.
The Rail acquisition comes after Ripple applied for a banking license in July 2025. This regulatory move suggests Ripple’s ambitions extend beyond cryptocurrency into traditional financial services.
XRP, Ripple’s native cryptocurrency, rose 4.3% to $3.07 on Thursday following the announcement. However, the third-largest digital asset by market cap has declined 2.4% over the past two weeks.
