This post was originally published on Bitcoinist
Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure
Ripple’s aggressive expansion strategy is once again under scrutiny from disgruntled XRP investors. What was presented as a milestone moment for the company has instead reignited debate over whether Ripple’s ecosystem growth is translating into measurable value for XRP holders.
XRP Price Slumps Despite Ripple’s Hidden Road Deal
In late 2025, Brad Garlinghouse announced the completion of Hidden Road’s acquisition, now rebranded as Ripple Prime. For many XRP investors, such announcements carry expectations. If XRP is foundational to Ripple’s ecosystem, then major corporate wins should, in theory, reflect in the token’s market performance. Instead, the price action has told a different story.
Over the past two months alone, XRP has declined by more than 25%, underperforming during a period that included positive corporate developments. Historically, similar announcements have triggered short-lived volatility but rarely sustained upward momentum. The pattern has created a perception gap between corporate growth narratives and investor outcomes.
Amid XRP’s continued price weakness, an analyst resurfaced Garlinghouse’s post on the Hidden Road deal, arguing that investors are funding corporate expansion that mainly benefits executives. He maintained that billions tied to the ecosystem
— Read the rest of this post, which was originally published on Bitcoinist.
