RUMORS: Ripple has already acquired CIRCLE $USDC behind the scenes!

This speculation, shared by prominent XRP community figure JackTheRippler on X, has ignited widespread discussion across social media and industry circles.

A bold new rumor has emerged within the crypto community, suggesting that Ripple, the San Francisco-based blockchain firm behind the XRP token, has already completed a behind-the-scenes acquisition of Circle, the issuer of the second-largest stablecoin by market cap, USDC.

This speculation, shared by prominent XRP community figure JackTheRippler on X, has ignited widespread discussion across social media and industry circles.

🚨RUMORS: Ripple has already acquired CIRCLE $USDC behind the scenes! #XRP

— JackTheRippler ©️ (@RippleXrpie) May 20, 2025While no official confirmation has surfaced from either Ripple or Circle, the rumor is stirring considerable curiosity, especially in light of Ripple’s well-documented ambitions to expand its footprint in the digital payments and stablecoin sectors.

JackTheRippler’s post, which simply stated, “RUMORS: Ripple has already acquired CIRCLE $USDC behind the scenes! #XRP,” has quickly gained attention and shares among XRP enthusiasts. It is also being discussed in relevant industry groups and forums.

The rumor arrives at a time when Ripple has taken significant strategic steps in 2025 to deepen its presence in the stablecoin space. On December 17, 2024, Ripple launched its own U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, following approval from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).

RLUSD is fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, U.S. government bonds, and cash equivalents, and is available on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum blockchains. The stablecoin aims to provide real-world utility and transparency, positioning Ripple against major competitors like Tether and Circle.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Ripple has been linked to a possible Circle acquisition. In April 2024, reports surfaced that Ripple had offered between $4 billion and $5 billion to acquire Circle, with some rumors suggesting offers as high as $20 billion. However, Circle reportedly rejected these proposals.

The rationale behind Ripple’s interest in Circle is clear: acquiring USDC would provide Ripple with a more regulatory-compliant, fiat-backed alternative to its XRP-led model, aligning with its aim to integrate blockchain into global finance.

Moreover, USDC enjoys widespread adoption among banks, fintechs, and enterprises, while Ripple’s vast network of financial institutions, partnerships with central banks, and ongoing initiatives in cross-border payments and liquidity management could significantly enhance USDC’s footprint.

This synergy would create new avenues for collaboration. For instance, XRP’s speed in cross-border transactions could complement USDC’s stability and liquidity in facilitating seamless global payments. Additionally, XRP’s programmability and smart contract capabilities could be used to build advanced financial applications on top of USDC’s existing ecosystem.

Furthermore, XRP could benefit from the increased market confidence and infrastructure improvements resulting from such a strategic merger. As XRP remains central to Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) services, closer alignment with USDC would strengthen Ripple’s proposition as a multi-asset bridge for global payments.

This move by Coinbase suggests an intensifying race among major blockchain companies to control strategic assets that can shape the next evolution of digital payments infrastructure.

If this rumor were to materialize, it would represent one of the most transformative events in the digital asset space to date. A Ripple-Circle acquisition would instantly position Ripple as a leading force in the stablecoin sector, dramatically expanding its reach beyond XRP and giving it control of USDC, a stablecoin trusted by banks, fintechs, and enterprises across the globe.

More importantly, Ripple’s vast network of financial institutions, partnerships with central banks, and ongoing initiatives in cross-border payments and liquidity management could significantly enhance USDC’s adoption. It would create new synergies between XRP and USDC in terms of settlement channels, liquidity pools, and on-chain utility.

Moreover, XRP could benefit from the increased market confidence and infrastructure improvements resulting from such a strategic merger. As XRP remains central to Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) services, closer alignment with USDC would strengthen Ripple’s proposition as a multi-asset bridge for global payments.

However, industry analysts are urging caution. Mergers and acquisitions of this magnitude typically involve extensive due diligence, regulatory oversight, and public disclosure. Given the high regulatory visibility both Ripple and Circle operate under, particularly in the United States, it is improbable that such a deal could be executed entirely in secrecy.

Furthermore, Circle is reportedly preparing for an initial public offering (IPO), a move that would typically require full transparency regarding any pending acquisitions or major organizational changes.

On the other hand, Ripple is currently engaged in a legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which could be influenced by undisclosed transactions. It is