The American crypto company Ripple, known for its XRP token and ongoing legal battle with the SEC, continues to strengthen its market position. According to Bloomberg, citing informed sources, Ripple attempted to acquire Circle, the issuer of one of the world’s largest stablecoins — USDC.
Sources say the offer was in the range of $4–5 billion, but the deal ultimately fell through, likely due to an insufficient bid amount. Nevertheless, Ripple remains interested in a potential acquisition, although no concrete steps are being taken at the moment and no new offers have been made.
Circle — IPO Delayed, Rumors Multiply
Circle itself declined to comment on “market rumors.” A company representative stated:
– “We are in a quiet period with the SEC, so we cannot provide any further commentary on corporate financial plans.”
It’s worth noting that back in April, Circle postponed its IPO indefinitely, citing high volatility and uncertainty in global markets. Analysts suggest that Ripple’s interest may be driven not only by a desire to strengthen its position in the stablecoin space, but also by its ambition to become the main competitor to Tether (USDT) — especially in light of upcoming regulatory changes.
Tether Rejects MiCA — Risks for USDT in Europe
Meanwhile, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino made a surprising announcement: the company will not apply for a MiCA license, which is required for legal circulation of stablecoins in the EU.
– “I decided not to apply for a MiCA license because I need to protect the more than 400 million users we have around the world. The European Central Bank is more interested in promoting the digital euro as a means to control people and how they spend their money,” he said.
This statement caused a stir in the industry. The refusal to comply with MiCA regulations could lead to a delisting of USDT from European exchanges, opening up opportunities for competitors — particularly USDC by Circle, and possibly in the future, a new stablecoin from Ripple.
Morgan Stanley and Schwab Step into Crypto
While some companies discuss mergers and licensing, traditional finance giants are betting on direct crypto integration.
Morgan Stanley is planning to add cryptocurrency trading to its E*Trade brokerage platform. This initiative is seen as a major step toward the democratization of crypto investments for clients who are not ready to leave familiar fintech environments.
Charles Schwab, one of the largest American brokers with over $10 billion in assets under management, is not far behind. The company has officially announced its intent to integrate spot crypto trading features.
These moves by Wall Street institutions show that crypto is no longer “exotic” — it is firmly integrating into traditional financial infrastructure.
Ripple’s attempt to acquire Circle could become one of the most strategic events in the crypto industry in recent years. A merger of two powerful players could dramatically shift the balance of power in the stablecoin market — especially amid regulatory changes in Europe and the potential weakening of Tether’s position.
Against this backdrop, institutional and brokerage interest in crypto highlights the dominant trend: the digital asset world is stepping out of the shadows and into the mainstream. The coming months promise to be especially intense — in terms of deals, integrations, and the race for global market share.
The future of crypto is no longer a matter of belief — it’s a matter of strategy.
