Ripple announced strategic investments in two companies, Zilo and Licuido, on August 3, adding regulated fund administration, issuance, trading, settlement, and collateral tools for tokenized assets on the XRP Ledger. The move targets institutional capital markets, a space where blockchain-based assets have struggled to gain a foothold.
What the investments bring
Zilo and Licuido bring specific capabilities. Zilo focuses on fund administration and issuance for tokenized assets. Licuido handles trading, settlement, and collateral management. Together, they give the XRP Ledger a suite of tools that regulators and large financial firms expect. Ripple didn’t disclose the size of the investments or the terms.
The companies are already regulated. That matters. Banks and asset managers often cite regulatory uncertainty as a reason to stay away from crypto. By plugging in firms that operate under existing rules, Ripple skips some of the usual friction.
Why institutional capital markets
Tokenized assets — real-world assets like bonds, real estate, or commodities turned into digital tokens — have been a talking point for years. But actual adoption has been slow. Ripple’s bet is that adding back-office infrastructure will speed things up. The XRP Ledger already processes payments. Now it’s getting the plumbing for capital markets.
Ripple’s own business has faced headwinds. The company is still fighting a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit over whether XRP is a security. That case has dragged on for years. These investments suggest Ripple is looking beyond the legal fight, building for a future where tokenized assets trade on its ledger.
What’s next for the XRP Ledger
The investments are strategic, not operational. Ripple isn’t buying Zilo or Licuido outright. It’s taking stakes. That means the two firms will continue to operate independently, but with Ripple’s backing and presumably integration with the XRP Ledger.
No timeline was given for when the new tools will go live. Ripple said the investments are part of a broader push to make the XRP Ledger a hub for institutional finance. Whether that push succeeds depends on adoption — and on the SEC case. For now, the announcement gives developers and potential users a clearer picture of what’s coming.
