Ripple Raises Its Bid to Acquire Circle From $5 Billion to a Stunning $11 Billion

Rumors are flying in the crypto world, and they're hard to ignore. Ripple is said to have raised its bid to acquire Circle

Rumors are swirling in the cryptosphere as they often do, but this one has set tongues really wagging. Apparently, Ripple has upped its bid to acquire Circle, the firm behind the USDC stablecoin, from $5 billion to a staggering $11 billion.

Now, to be clear, neither party has confirmed anything yet, but this tidbit has quickly sparked a flurry of questions. Is Ripple making a genius move, or is this a sign of desperation as they're losing ground? And what does this mean for the broader crypto landscape?

Why Is Ripple Chasing Circle?

Let's quickly recap: Last month, rumors had fluttered around a $4–$5 billion offer from Ripple to Circle, which was reportedly turned down.

However, as competition for this acquisition has reportedly become fierce—with Coinbase also said to be pursuing Circle—Ripple may have upped its offer to a massive $11 billion. If true, this could be one of the boldest acquisition attempts we've seen since the fall of FTX.

There are a few reasons why this deal has suddenly become a hot topic. Firstly, there's Circle’s stablecoin, USDC, which boasts a $61 billion market cap—a golden asset in the crypto sphere. Secondly, rumors have it that Trump may be planning a "Crypto Dinner" for the top 220 holders of the TRUMP meme coin, aiming to rally support ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

On another note, rumors emerging from China suggest that the government is planning a crackdown on crypto derivatives trading, aiming to shut down any platform facilitating such activities.

Finally, U.S. regulations are improving, and rumors have it that Trump is planning to invite the top 220 holders of the TRUMP meme coin for dinner. He hopes to rally support for his potential 2028 presidential bid by engaging with major meme coin traders and aiming to collect campaign contributions.

This move showcases Trump's attempt to connect with the cryptocurrency community and secure financial and political support for his future endeavors.

Ripple’s Deep Wallet

According to a Q1 2025 Markets Report by Ripple, the company holds a huge amount of XRP, about 4.56 billion XRP worth $10.72 billion in its blockchain addresses. It also has 37.13 billion XRP locked in a bulk hardware wallet, valued at a whopping $87.25 billion.

With that kind of reserve, Ripple has the financial muscle to make big moves like this. Some experts, like angel investor Paul Barron, believe that Ripple has the upper hand over Coinbase in this race.

He mentioned that Ripple may be pushing its bid to anywhere between $9 billion and $11 billion, hoping to stay ahead in this heated competition.

What About Coinbase?

But stifling rumors have linked another major player to this saga—Coinbase.

This financial giant reported $8 billion in cash during Q1 2025, showcasing its own deep pockets to enter this bidding war.

And since Coinbase is a public company, it can always raise even more money from investors if needed, giving it excellent flexibility in this endeavor.

This means that Coinbase could use a mix of cash and stock to try and outbid Ripple, ultimately aiming to secure Circle's acquisition.

Is Circle Even for Sale?

Now, here’s where things get interesting: Circle hasn't confirmed any interest in selling. In fact, the company has been clear that it's focused on long-term goals, including a planned IPO.

Plus, the company has support from giants like JPMorgan and Citi, giving it confidence and leverage in any negotiations.

This isn't the first time rumors of an acquisition have fluttered around Circle. Back in December, rumors had fluttered around a potential $3 billion bid from a unnamed firm to acquire Circle, but both parties quickly shot down these claims.

However, rumors of a bid from an unnamed firm for a 9-figure equity stake in Circle were swirling at the same time. This tidbit was quickly shot down by a spokesperson for Circle, stating that these rumors were "simply false."

Instead of an outright sale, Circle may be simply entertaining offers to boost its value or gain strategic insight from rivals.

This move showcases Trump's attempt to connect with the cryptocurrency community and secure financial and political support for his future endeavors.