Ripple’s aggressive expansion strategy in 2025 includes a bold attempt to acquire Circle, the issuer behind the $61 billion USDC stablecoin. In April, Ripple made an initial offer between $4 billion and $5 billion. However, Circle rejected the bid and instead filed for a public listing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), aiming for a valuation in the same range. The company plans to trade on the NYSE under the ticker CRCL.
Deal Talks Intensify Amid Higher Bids
Since the initial rejection, talks have progressed. Recent reports confirm that Circle is now engaged in informal negotiations with both Ripple and Coinbase. The newer bids reportedly range between $6 billion and $11 billion, suggesting intensifying interest in Circle’s stablecoin dominance.
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This potential deal follows Ripple’s earlier acquisition of Hidden Road, a digital asset prime brokerage firm, for $1.25 billion. Ripple’s interest in Circle signals its ambition to dominate the stablecoin space. By acquiring Circle, Ripple could control both RLUSD its in-house stablecoin and USDC, the second-largest stablecoin in circulation. This dual control could significantly enhance Ripple’s influence over digital dollar liquidity across blockchain networks.
ChatGPT Sees Major XRP Upside if Deal Succeeds
ChatGPT predicted notable XRP price increases if Ripple finalizes the Circle acquisition. In a base-case outcome, it estimated XRP could rise to $3.50–$4.50. This scenario assumes a successful acquisition in the $6–$8 billion range and smooth integration of Circle’s infrastructure. ChatGPT noted that adding USDC to Ripple Payments could improve liquidity and boost XRP’s role in cross-border settlements.
In a more optimistic scenario, ChatGPT projected XRP could soar to between $6 and $10. This bullish outlook would require Ripple to secure Circle at the high end of the valuation range, integrate USDC and RLUSD successfully, and see a surge in Ripple Payments adoption worldwide.
Grok Forecasts Strong Growth with Stablecoin Integration
Similarly, Grok predicted XRP could reach $3.50–$4.50 in its base-case forecast. It emphasized that controlling USDC would allow Ripple to consolidate its position in the stablecoin market. Although USDC does not directly influence XRP’s price, its integration could significantly boost transaction volumes and XRP utility within Ripple Payments.
In a best-case scenario, Grok saw XRP hitting $6–$8. It argued that if Ripple Payments starts handling trillions in annual cross-border transactions and XRP continues serving as a key bridge asset, demand could spike—driving the price upward.
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This projection also hinges on favorable crypto sentiment and Bitcoin potentially reaching $150,000.Despite the promising outlook, both AI models warned of risks. Financing such a large acquisition could strain Ripple’s resources and lead to XRP sales from company reserves.
Moreover, regulatory hurdles or rival bids from Coinbase could delay or derail the deal. Market conditions, including macroeconomic trends and crypto investor sentiment, will also heavily influence XRP’s trajectory.
