šØ Ripple Launches $750M Share Buyback at $50B Valuation While Goldman Sachs Holds $154M in XRP ETFsāBanks Threaten OCC Charter Lawsuit
Ripple began buying back equity shares worth up to $750M at $50B valuation as crypto markets reel (BTC down 40%+ from October peak, XRP down 50%+), per Bloomberg. Goldman Sachs disclosed $153.8M XRP ETF position (73% of top 30 institutions' $211M), while Bank Policy Instituteāwhose board includes JPMorgan CEO Dimon and Goldman CEO Solomonāmay sue OCC over national trust charters granted to Ripple, Paxos, Circle in December 2025.
š Key Points:
š¹ $750M Buyback at Fire-Sale Prices: Ripple buying back equity at $50B valuation while BTC down 40%+ and XRP down 50%+; company effectively buying own equity at depressed crypto prices; signals $50B self-assessment despite market downturn
š¹ Buyback History Escalation: January 2024: $285M at $11B valuation; June 2025: $700M at $175/share; September 2025: $1B tender at $40B (lowest participation rate ever, employees refused to sell); November 2025: $500M raised from Citadel Securities and Fortress at $40B; CEO Garlinghouse and President Long repeatedly stated no IPO plans
š¹ Goldman's $154M XRP ETF Position: Q4 2025 13F filing shows $153.8M across four XRP ETF issuers; largest institutional holder by wide margin; accounts for 73% of $211M reported by top 30 institutions; part of broader $2.3B crypto ETF portfolio; buying at $1.38 while Polymarket prices 38% chance XRP drops below $1.20 by month-end
š¹ XRP ETF Market Performance: Spot XRP ETFs attracted $1.4B net inflows since November 2025 launch; Standard Chartered cut year-end target to $2.80 (still implies ~100% upside from current $1.38); XRP ETFs demonstrate institutional demand despite price decline
š¹ Banking Lobby Hypocrisy: Bank Policy Institute board includes JPMorgan CEO Dimon and Goldman CEO Solomon; BPI may sue OCC over national trust charters granted to Ripple, Paxos, Circle in December 2025; Goldman loading up on XRP ETFs while its trade association argues Ripple shouldn't have bank charter
š Why It Matters:
š¹ Valuation Signal Through Downturn: $50B valuation (+25% from $40B in September/November 2025) while crypto markets crashed demonstrates confidence; company processed $100B+ in transactions; buyback at depressed prices suggests management views current market as opportunity not crisis
š¹ Goldman Contradiction: $154M XRP ETF position while BPI threatens charter lawsuit exposes internal conflict; trading desks buying crypto exposure while lobbying arms fight crypto banking access; demonstrates institutional split between profit-seeking divisions and regulatory/competitive concerns
š¹ Charter Battle Implications: OCC charter grants Ripple, Paxos, Circle banking infrastructure access (Fedwire, payment rails); BPI lawsuit could delay or revoke charters undermining stablecoin/crypto banking integration; JPMorgan and Goldman CEOs on BPI board while Goldman holds XRP reveals political complexity of crypto banking
š¹ Employee Conviction Signal: September 2025 buyback saw lowest participation (employees refused to sell); suggests internal belief in long-term value despite market volatility; $750M current offer tests whether employee sentiment changed after further price declines
šÆ Bottom Line:
Ripple's $750M buyback at $50B valuation (+25% from prior round) amid crypto crash signals confidence while Goldman's $154M XRP ETF stake contradicts BPI's threatened OCC charter lawsuitāexposing institutional split on crypto banking.
Source: https://www.benzinga.com/crypto/cryptocurrency/26/03/51198451/ripple-launches-750m-share-buyback-at-50b-valuation-as-goldman-sachs-loads-up-on-xrp-etfs