On May 2, 2025, a post on X from the account @RippleXrpIe claimed that Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse increased the company’s offer to acquire Circle for $20 billion.
The post suggested the deal was progressing. However, no official statement from Ripple or Circle supports this claim. Media outlets referenced the rumor, but its origin traces back to social media.
The rumor followed reports that Ripple previously made a $5 billion bid, which Circle reportedly turned down.
Neither company has confirmed details of any acquisition talks.
Circle’s $5 Billion Valuation Sparks Questions About the $20 Billion Figure
Circle’s last known market valuation stood at approximately $5 billion, based on pre-IPO documents. This figure reflects investor estimates and internal filings. The new rumored offer of $20 billion does not align with this data.
Dom Kwok, co-founder of EasyA, posted on X:
“FYI, Circle’s IPO valuation is ~$5 billion (which is the valuation Ripple is looking at when it made its acquisition offer). There is no way Ripple would offer $20 billion for Circle. I see lots of people saying $5 billion is a low offer since Circle holds $60 billion in collateral…However, it does not own that collateral.”
Circle backs over $60 billion in assets tied to USDC. However, these reserves do not count as company-owned funds. The distinction affects how the firm is valued during acquisition discussions.
Market Stays Flat Despite Ripple Buyout Rumor
The crypto market did not react strongly to the $20 billion Ripple offer rumor. USDC and XRP prices stayed within normal ranges. No significant movement appeared in trading volume or on-chain transactions linked to either firm.
This stands in contrast to previous false claims—such as XRP ETF news or tariff reports—which triggered large swings. On this occasion, the unverified offer lacked visible impact on markets.
Ripple has not responded to requests for comment. Circle has also not issued a public statement. The rumor remains unconfirmed.