Coinbase and Ripple Battle for Circle—XRP Bulls Are All In

Two crypto giants are locking horns over Circle, and the XRP army isn’t just watching—they’re betting big. Coinbase and Ripple’s tug-of-war for control could reshape the stablecoin landscape, and traders are already pricing in the chaos.

Who wins? The suits or the degens? Either way, Wall Street will find a way to take credit.

TLDR

• Ripple and Coinbase battle to acquire Circle, aiming to dominate the $61B stablecoin market and reshape crypto finance.
• Ripple eyes Circle to fast-track its USD stablecoin plans and boost XRP’s utility in regulated payments.
• Coinbase seeks full control of USDC via Circle acquisition to expand stablecoin reach across its global platforms.
• XRP price jumps 2.5% as Ripple-Circle deal rumors spark investor optimism and rising trading volume.
• The Ripple vs. Coinbase bid for Circle could redefine stablecoin leadership and accelerate institutional XRP adoption.

Ripple and Coinbase are reportedly engaged in acquisition talks with Circle, the $61 billion issuer of USDC. The informal discussions have begun between the companies and Circle executives. The stablecoin sector is now watching closely, as the outcome could reshape market leadership and investor sentiment.

Ripple’s Strategic Move to Strengthen Its Ecosystem

Ripple is positioning itself to acquire Circle to solidify its presence in the growing stablecoin sector. The company has announced plans to launch its USD-backed stablecoin in 2025. Hence, acquiring Circle WOULD offer instant access to a regulated and established stablecoin infrastructure.

🚨 The @circle acquisition saga heats up! @Ripple and @Coinbase are eyeing Circle, the $61B USDC issuer, with bids reportedly reaching $ 11 B. If Ripple succeeds, it could instantly become a #stablecoin powerhouse, but Coinbase’s deep pockets and exchange reach make this a true…

— PaulBarron (@paulbarron) May 26, 2025

Moreover, Circle’s strong compliance record and global banking relationships could benefit Ripple. These assets would help Ripple expand its payments network across regulated markets more quickly. The deal would also align Ripple’s cross-border payment tools with stablecoin-based settlement solutions.

Besides infrastructure, Ripple would gain immediate market share and liquidity through USDC’s broad adoption across exchanges and DeFi platforms. This would support XRP’s role as a bridge asset in on-chain financial systems. Ripple could integrate USDC functionality directly within the XRP Ledger to boost utility.

Ripple’s growing ambitions suggest it aims to control payment rails and stablecoin flows under one ecosystem. By acquiring Circle, Ripple could streamline transactions using XRP and USDC together. Due to added functionality and liquidity, this integration would likely drive institutional demand for XRP.

Coinbase Leverages Exchange Power in Acquisition Race

Coinbase has entered acquisition discussions with Circle to expand its influence in the stablecoin market. As the primary issuer and custodian partner of USDC, Coinbase already plays a key role in its operations. Acquiring Circle would allow Coinbase to consolidate USDC management and enhance stablecoin-based offerings across its exchange.

Furthermore, Coinbase could use this acquisition to compete directly with Tether in the global stablecoin landscape. The firm’s international expansion strategy aligns well with a broader push for regulated stablecoins. Therefore, the deal would support Coinbase’s goal to become the preferred stablecoin provider in regulated jurisdictions.

Coinbase extensive retail and institutional user base would accelerate USDC adoption if it secures full ownership. This would improve product integration across Coinbase Wallet, Base, and institutional custody platforms. The company could enhance cross-border payments, on-chain finance, and stablecoin yield services.

Coinbase may also benefit from eliminating potential conflicts with Circle’s independent operations. A full acquisition would allow Coinbase to control governance, treasury, and issuance decisions directly, boosting efficiency, responsiveness, and user trust across the USDC ecosystem.

XRP Market Reacts as Bulls Monitor Acquisition Outcome

XRP’s price surged 2.51% in the last 24 hours, touching a high of $2.36 before settling NEAR $2.32. The rally coincided with increased trading volume, which jumped nearly 14% to $2.01 billion. This upward movement pushed XRP’s market capitalization to $136.63 billion.

Analysts attribute the rally to speculation around Ripple’s interest in acquiring Circle. Market participants expect the acquisition to enhance XRP’s use cases and liquidity profile. This expectation has fueled strong investor interest as XRP breaks through recent resistance levels.

Community discussions highlight growing Optimism that Ripple’s acquisition of Circle would validate XRP’s long-term utility. Many believe the deal could attract institutional capital and improve XRP’s standing in global financial systems. Meanwhile, traders continue watching for further updates as the acquisition talks progress.