A Ripple IPO is Unlikely in 2025, Here’s Why

Explore ways to invest in Ripple stock as the company approaches its IPO date — not expected until all SEC-related lawsuits are settled and laws clarified. CEO Brad Garlinghouse said in October 2024 that an IPO is “not a high priority” (more below).

Linqto* removes barriers to private markets and gives you access to invest in pre-IPO companies. Ripple is frequently available and is a top seller on the platform. 

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Recent Ripple News

12/16/2024: Ripple’s new stablecoin now trading
08/08/2024: Ripple ordered to pay $125 million
04/04/2024: Ripple Plans to Launch Dollar-Backed Stablecoin
01/24/2024: Ripple to buy back $285 million of its shares
Older news…

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About Ripple

Ripple Labs is a San Francisco, CA-based fintech startup that provides blockchain-based payment solutions, enabling fast, low-cost cross-border transactions for financial institutions through a decentralized RippleNet platform.

It utilizes its native cryptocurrency, XRP, as a bridge currency to enhance liquidity and efficiency in international payments.

RippleNet has gained traction in global markets, especially in regions with high remittance volumes, like the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa, where it addresses the inefficiencies of traditional banking systems. Ripple generates revenue by licensing its technology to financial institutions and selling XRP from its significant reserves, held in escrow to control supply.

Unlike traditional crypto platforms, Ripple focuses on enterprise use cases rather than retail cryptocurrency trading, setting it apart from competitors like Circle, which emphasizes stablecoins like USDC for general payment purposes.

XRP is a cryptocurrency native to the XRP Ledger, a decentralized blockchain technology developed by Ripple, designed for high-speed, low-cost transactions. XRP Ledger uses a unique consensus mechanism called the Ripple Protocol Consensus Algorithm (RPCA). It ensures the validation of transactions across the network without relying on mining, like Bitcoin. 

Investors can access XRP on crypto platforms like Coinbase and Kraken. 

Ripple’s growth potential lies in expanding its partnerships with banks and financial institutions and capitalizing on the increasing regulatory clarity around digital assets. But must first contend with legal issues stemming from an SEC lawsuit.

Ownership

Ripple is a venture-backed startup that counts several venture capital firms as investors. The founders and employees make up the balance of equity owners. 

The company has raised about $325 million in venture capital funding since its founding. The latest round was a Series C completed in September 2020, raising $200 million.

Venture capital investors include Venture 51, Lightspeed Ventures, IDG Capital, Core Innovation Capital, Camp One Ventures, Route 66 Ventures, CME Ventures, Santander InnoVentures, Seagate Ventures, RRE Ventures, Digital Currency Group, AME Cloud Ventures, Vast Ventures, Wicklow Capital, ChinaRock Capital Management, China Growth Capital, SBI Holdings, Digital Ventures, Standard Chartered, Accenture Ventures, and Tetragon Financial Group.

Funding Rounds

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Valuation

The latest confirmed Ripple valuation is $11.3 billion based on a January 2024 tender offer reported by Reuters. 

However, pre-IPO marketplace data suggests the Ripple valuation was under $5 billion before the 2024 Presidential election and spiked shortly after. The valuation as of December 2024 is likely between $5 and $10 billion. 

We will get another confirmed valuation once a fresh funding round is completed or the company pursues an IPO. 

IPO Potential

The Ripple IPO date has yet to be determined and is unlikely for the time being.

Uncertainty due to the SEC lawsuits has likely delayed any prospects of an IPO until fully settled. 

Furthermore, CEO Brad Garlinghouse has indicated an IPO is not a priority. 

He told the Thinking Crypto podcast the following in October 2024 in response to a question about an IPO with an improved regulatory environment:

An IPO has not been a high priority for us. And part of that is because the SEC is not our friend. We want to make sure our shareholders have liquidity. We want to make sure our shareholders are happy. We want to make sure the company is valuated appropriately. And so we don’t take anything off the table. But it’s not a high priority. 

He also acknowledged that even when an IPO becomes a priority, it usually takes another 12 months before going public.

Here is the video where he makes these remarks. 

We’ll learn more about about a potential Ripple IPO date if the company hires a high-profile CFO, begins talking to investment banks regarding an IPO, or files an S-1 (confidentially or publicly).

If IPO volume increases and other fintech companies successfully launch public offerings in 2025, Ripple may accelerate its IPO ambitions, especially if the regulatory environment improves with the new administration.

How to Invest in Ripple Stock

Most individuals cannot own Ripple stock via pre-IPO investing platforms because of the SEC accreditation requirement. 

Furthermore, if and when the Ripple IPO date arrives, it will still be difficult for most investors to acquire IPO shares due to high demand. 

Therefore, the most likely way investors can own Ripple stock is to wait for the IPO and buy shares after it goes public.

But savvy pre-IPO investors may find other opportunities to own the company before the IPO. 

Here are some potential options to own Ripple stock before, during, and after the IPO.

1. Access Ripple Stock pre-IPO

Pre-IPO investment platforms often offer Ripple stock for early purchase as employees or early investors seek to sell some of their shares before the Ripple IPO.

Accredited investors may access investment opportunities, provided they are registered on the platform and receive notifications about their availability.

Monitor pre-IPO investing platforms such as Linqto (often available, Ripple is a top seller), Forge Global, EquityZen, and Hiive for share availability. 

Investment minimums range from $2,500 to $50,000 or more on these platforms. 

Pre-IPO investment platform memberships are free, but deal-specific minimum investment amounts may apply and vary.

Non-accredited investors can invest in pre-IPO companies via venture capital funds targeted to retail investors. Venture capital funds are an exciting asset class that emerged in 2022.

The Fundrise Innovation Fund (review) is the most promising for patient, long-term investors.

Ripple is not currently held in the Fund. But the company has indicated that financial technology companies will be a foundational target sector.

Please note: This is a testimonial in partnership with Fundrise. We earn a commission from partner links on AccessIPOs.com. All opinions are my own.

2. Participated in the Ripple IPO through a broker

When a company goes public, investors can buy the stock during the IPO at the IPO price. 

Before, only Wall Street’s top customers could invest in IPOs. But now, retail investors can access IPOs through participating discount brokers. 

Some online brokers (like the ones listed below) allow investors to invest in IPOs for free, even if they have limited funds in their accounts.

• TradeStation 
• Robinhood 

Brokers secure exclusive IPO share access, and having multiple brokerage accounts can improve your chances of receiving an allocation with high-demand IPOs.

TradeStation, partnered with Click Markets, has facilitated over 400 IPOs and secondary offerings, while Robinhood leverages Silicon Valley networks for high-profile IPO allocations.

Explore the best brokers for IPO investing to learn more about retail investor access.

3. Buy the stock after the Ripple IPO

Waiting for the IPO has advantages, like access to detailed financials after the first quarter of trading. Pre-IPO investing often has limited financials for individual investors. 

High-demand IPOing companies may have exaggerated valuations. Investors can benefit by attempting to sell near the peak but may suffer when prices revert to fair valuations. Timing the market is always challenging. 

IPOs often start with high valuations, but stock prices may fall after the first and second-quarter earnings reports expose significant numbers and trends.

Stock price declines can be excellent entry points for recent IPO stock. Avoid buying overvalued shares immediately after the IPO due to lockup expirations and earnings disappointments.

However, the most disruptive companies may perform better over a decade, so patience is key.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Ripple Publicly Traded?

No. Ripple is not publicly traded. It is a private startup. 

What is the Ripple Stock Price?

A public Ripple stock price does not exist. 

The September 2020 funding round closed at $61.49. Post-election pre-IPO marketplace transactions took place on the Hiive platform in the range of $27 to $52 per share.

The election outcome has injected volatility into the cryptocurrency markets, and stable price points may be elusive for private companies in the crypto space for some time. 

What is the Ripple Stock Symbol?

We’ll learn the Ripple stock symbol if the company pursues an IPO. The Form S-1 filing with the SEC will contain the information if and when it is released to the public.

The company has not yet indicated it is ready to prioritize an IPO. However, we can speculate about what the Ripple ticker will be.

Here are some suggestions that seem likely and are available in the U.S.:

• RIPP
• RPPL
• RIPL
• RPL
• RPLE

Where is the Ripple IPO S-1 Filing?

The Ripple S-1 filing is not yet public, and there’s no indication of a confidential filing.

It will be available once submitted to the SEC and approved.

We’ll post it here when it’s released.

You can monitor the most recent S-1 IPO filings on this website.

What is the Ripple SEC Controversy?

The SEC alleges that by Ripple selling XRP to investors, the asset is a security. Ripple maintains that XRP is a currency.

The distinction between security and currency affects how the asset is regulated.

The SEC filed a lawsuit against Ripple at the tail end of the Trump administration. Ripple has said it wants to be regulated, but the SEC has dragged its feet in providing a clear regulatory framework.

Ripple News Archive

07/13/2023: Ripple Labs notches landmark win in SEC case
12/20/2019: Ripple raises $200 million 
09/15/2016: Ripple Raises $55 Million in Series B Funding
05/19/2015: Ripple Labs Closes $28 Million Series A Funding Round

Conclusion

Ripple’s focus on enterprise use cases rather than retail cryptocurrency trading positions it uniquely in the fintech space, leveraging its blockchain-based RippleNet and XRP to address inefficiencies in global cross-border payments.

Investors may be enthusiastic upon discovering companies capitalizing on macroeconomic trends like cryptocurrency and international finance efficiencies. 

But buying stock early on can be challenging for retail investors, despite wanting to own the company.

Pre-IPO platforms provide more investor opportunities, and Ripple is frequently available on Linqto and other sites. But venture capital investment is still primarily reserved for the ultra-wealthy, necessitating significant wealth to invest in seed and early funding rounds.

Have reasonable expectations if you’re pursuing pre-IPO shares of Ripple stock. Shares may not be available, and a fair valuation may be elusive.

Carefully consider pre-IPO marketplace pricing on multiple platforms before initiating an investment, and only invest in startups with money you can afford to lose.

Bookmark this page for the most recent Ripple IPO news as the company continues on a path to a public listing.