Unpacking the #Ripple/Gemini news. What exactly is going on? The whole may be greater than the sum of it's parts. (It gets weird in #5) This week has brought interesting news to ponder if this is more than just a loan ⤵️ 1/8
2⃣Gemini’s SEC filing shows a revolving credit facility from #Ripple, a line of credit basically, up to $75M USD, expandable to $150M.
> Min draw is $5M
> Interest 6.5% or 8.5% depending on the collateral, which likely includes crypto.
Pretty standard before an IPO, but⤵️
3⃣The unusual part is that once Gemini borrows past $75M, additional draws can be in #RLUSD. It doesn't require or force RLUSD use, it just makes it available. It could embed RLUSD into a regulated exchange’s financing, but they don't have to.
4⃣ So #Ripple immediately gains distribution & legitimacy by inserting #RLUSD into an SEC-filing. Gemini gets flexibility later with no obligation, great if USDT faces MiCA limits, or USD banking tightens, or it wants a “regulatory-ready stablecoin” story for investors.
5⃣ By coincidence, Gemini received a MiCA license just yesterday in Malta, and #Ripple, through it's new Luxembourg facility applied for a MiCA EMI license in July. So both are preparing for compliance in the EU.
6⃣ And then the NYC billboard appeared featuring an #XRP branded Mastercard (issued by WebBank), saying "Prepare your bags" for an announcement 8.25.25. The card is backed by $75m from #Ripple & Gemini.
7⃣ Where have we heard $75m before? That's right, the initial load amount before #RLUSD becomes an option. Are they already at the threshold? Probably not - the SEC filing says they haven't drawn on the loan as of 8.15.25. Still... Is this more than coincidence?
8⃣ If so, and this is speculative, #Ripple could be effectively underwriting Gemini's IPO liquidity and a new payment product opening doors for #RLUSD to be used in the background. MiCA compliantly. Again, just grasping at straws, speculating how what we see might fit together.
TL:DR - what a coincidence Gemini borrowed $75m from Ripple, with option for #RLUSD to $150m right when both are pitching in $75m to launch an #XRP branded credit card and secure MiCA compliance.
📰📰#Ripple’s OCC Banking License application is now available! Vol. 1 is the public release. The application provides some clues about Ripple’s intentions and structure to consider.
1/6
2⃣First, and maybe obviously, Ripple is applying to charter a limited purpose OCC-regulated national trust bank. It would enable custody of RLUSD reserves and operating regulated infrastructure for tokenized finance and …...future Fed access (?).
3⃣So it won't be retail. The CRA says it doesn't apply "to national banks that don't engage in any lending or deposit-taking activities &whose biz consists exclusively of fiduciary activities.” No deposits or lending, strictly B2B banking & infrastructure. Probably obvious.
A couple of highlights from the latest SBI report pertaining to #XRP & #Ripple. 1/3
[1] Some detail about adoption: SBI cites Ripple Payments in use by 100+ FI's across 55 countries. This is different than the oft cited 300 FI's, which may be using other products.
[2] They seem to be for crypto ETFs, including #XRP
[3] SBI has plans for #RLUSD. (Note the restrictions on JPY-backed stablecoins, too)
Is SWIFT integrating #XRP through EastNets?
Some buzz floating around that’s worth unpacking.
I don't think so, but there is good news here...
🧵/8
(TL;DR in last tweet…)
2. Eastnets is a “SWIFT Certified Service Bureau” that facilitates access to SWIFT’s global messaging network. They’re a licensed 3rd party like Accenture or ACI Worldwide that provides infrastructure for financial institutions to process xborder payments. eastnets.com
3. CSBs like Eastnets manage technical connectivity, protocols & compliance for institutions. They help organizations meet SWIFT’s CSP standards & adopt ISO 20022 messaging formats to use the network. They translate message formats, too. Here is an EastNets’ SWIFT application:
💵An #XRP buyback?
Understanding the news about GAM Investments' request of SBI, a thread. It's wild to see this in an open letter addressed to SBI and @yoshitaka_kitao! 1/9
[#3 is the TL;DR]
[#5 is my favorite]
[#9 is the conclusion]
2. Yesterday, @sentosumosaba discovered this provocative document. An SBI Holdings investor, GAM Investments, is asking SBI to consider buying back #XRP. It's a great catch, thank you!
3. TL;DR
The Issue: GAM is unhappy with the value of their SBI investment.
The Diagnosis: SBI is not leveraging their #Ripple, and therefore #XRP investment.
The Solution: Clarify your crypto strategy and buy #XRP to boost shareholder value.
🍿This is wild🍿Turns out there is a soap opera surrounding the #Ripple acquisition of Fortress Trust. Bankruptcy, theft, Terra - this is a ride, so buckle up..
🧵
2. On Sept 7th, Fortress issued a statement they were compromised by a 3rd party. The announcement was largely damage control, though they mention “We also have some big company news we are excited to share later this week..more to come!”
[FORSHADOWING]
3. On Sept 8th,#Ripple announced they were acquiring Fortress Trust. It made sense given their tokenization, regulatory capabilities. Remember, they were already investors in Fortress. It also explains why the annc. came before the paperwork finished. ripple.com/insights/rippl…
Why did #Ripple buy Fortress Trust & how is it different from Metaco? My hunch is it is more about consumers than ODL.
And maybe one other thing.
A 🧵
(Disclaimer: I'm not in the industry so there could be a lot wrong here. Please chime in if you know!) cnbc.com/2023/09/08/rip…
2. the difference?
Metaco doesn't hold DA's on its own behalf. Instead, they provide infra allowing qualified custodians to hold DA's for others. Fortress Trust is a qualified custodian, meaning they actually hold assets & are legally responsible for them. metaco.com
3. So for instance, iTrust Capital integrated Fortress for an IRA program, allowing users to hold crypto assets in their retirement plans. Holdings are highly regulated, segregated & reconciled and Fortress holds these assets for each account. prnewswire.com/news-releases/…