Ripple’s Circle acquisition negotiations have taken an unexpected turn, and right now the payment giant is reportedly doubling its bid to $11 billion, which is intensifying the competition with Coinbase for control of the USDC stablecoin issuer. This bidding war represents one of the largest potential deals in cryptocurrency history, and both companies are leveraging massive resources to secure Circle’s $61 billion stablecoin infrastructure.
The Ripple & Circle acquisition battle has captured the crypto market’s attention as XRP reserves and also Coinbase’s cash position fuel an unprecedented bidding war. Ripple news indicates the company raised its initial $5 billion offer after Circle rejected it, and now they’re proposing up to $11 billion using both cash and XRP holdings at the time of writing.
Also Read: Top Crypto to Buy Now as Ripple Eyes Circle Acquisition
Ripple, Coinbase Battle for Circle: What It Means for XRP, USDC
Ripple’s XRP War Chest Powers $11B Offer
BREAKING: @Ripple and @coinbase now in bidding war for @circle – Sources say @ripple has the upper hand at a 9-11 Billion price tag. #XRP #USDC #CRYPTO
Who do you think wins this bidding war?— PaulBarron (@paulbarron) May 19, 2025
The Ripple-Circle acquisition strategy relies heavily on the company’s substantial cryptocurrency reserves, and also on their strategic positioning. Ripple currently holds 4.56 billion XRP worth $10.72 billion, plus an additional 37.13 billion XRP in escrow valued at $87.25 billion. These reserves enable Ripple news sources to confirm the company can structure creative deals mixing cash and also digital assets.
Industry analyst Paul Barron had this to say:
“Ripple and Coinbase now in bidding war for Circle – Sources say Ripple has the upper hand at a 9-11 Billion price tag.”
The dramatic increase from Ripple’s initial offer demonstrates how critical USDC control has become for the company’s expansion beyond cross-border payments, and also shows their determination to win.
Coinbase Counters with $8 Billion Cash Position
Coinbase brings formidable resources to this Ripple Circle acquisition battle right now. The exchange reported $8 billion in cash and equivalents, plus an ability to tap equity markets for additional capital. This gives Coinbase flexibility to offer cash-stock combinations that might appeal more to Circle stakeholders at the time of writing.
Also Read: Ripple Price Prediction: $5K in XRP Could Flip Your Future with 580% as ETF Launches
⚠️🚨RUMOR: Ripple just upped its offer to acquire Circle from $5B to $11B.
— All Things XRP (@XRP_investing) May 22, 2025
That’s more than double.
Is this a genius power play—or a sign of strategic desperation?
Let’s unpack the business logic behind crypto’s wildest M&A rumor yet.🧵👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/FYY5P9obNB
Coinbase’s interest in USDC makes strategic sense after phasing out its Centre Consortium involvement in 2023, and also because full ownership would give direct control over critical infrastructure as competitors such as PayPal push their own stablecoins.
Market Reacts to Potential USDC Ownership Change
The crypto community has expressed strong concerns about the Ripple Circle acquisition implications, and reactions have been swift.
One user, GwartyGwart, stated:
“Ripple acquiring Circle would be like Hooli buying Pied Piper”
Another user, 0xShual, warned:
“mass panic”
These reactions reflect deeper anxieties about whether corporate control over USDC could undermine its neutrality and trustworthiness. XRP holders see potential benefits if Ripple wins, while USDC users worry about centralization impacts and also about fee changes.
What This Means for Digital Dollar Future
The Ripple Circle acquisition outcome will reshape how billions flow through crypto markets right now and in the future. If Ripple prevails, USDC integration with XRP Ledger could offer faster, cheaper transactions, and also new features. A Coinbase victory maintains current operations while giving the exchange more control over policies and fees.
For XRP investors, successful acquisition could boost token demand significantly at the time of writing. The deal validates Ripple’s evolution from payments company to major infrastructure player, especially given favorable regulatory environment under President Trump’s administration, and also positions them as a stablecoin powerhouse.
Also Read: Ripple’s XRP ETF Goes Live: Can Price Hit $2.50 Before June?
As this $11 billion battle unfolds, whether Ripple news confirms victory or Coinbase prevails, the winner won’t just control USDC—they’ll determine digital dollar infrastructure for years ahead, and also shape how institutions interact with stablecoins.
