$300M Ripple Fund Goes Live — Institutions Choose Equity Over XRP

XRP trades near $1.99 as of writing, down 1.71% over the past seven days and 11.57% over the last 30 days. Price weakness has kept the token below the psychological $2.00 level, even as institutional attention around Ripple continues to grow. While XRP consolidates, a new development highlights how large investors now seek exposure beyond public token markets.

VivoPower Moves Ahead With Ripple-Approved Fund

VivoPower International has received formal approval from Ripple to launch a $300 million institutional investment fund focused on Ripple’s equity. The initiative targets large investors rather than retail traders and centers on Ripple Labs shares instead of XRP tokens. This approach reflects a growing preference among institutions for structured and regulated exposure. Why does this matter now? Timing aligns closely with shifting regulatory and market conditions.

Fund Structure and Operational Details

The investment vehicle will operate through a joint venture between VivoPower and Lean Ventures, a Seoul-based asset manager with deep institutional ties. Lean Ventures manages capital for both South Korea’s government-linked entities and private institutions, giving the project strong local credibility. VivoPower’s digital asset subsidiary, Vivo Federation, will handle sourcing and acquiring Ripple Labs shares for the fund.

Ripple has already issued written approval for the initial batch of preferred shares. VivoPower continues discussions with existing institutional shareholders to scale the vehicle toward its full $300 million target. This gradual build allows capital deployment to align with availability and pricing rather than rushed accumulation.

Source: X

Why South Korea Takes Center Stage

South Korea sits at the core of the fund’s strategy. According to VivoPower advisory council chairman Adam Traidman, Korean institutions continue to show strong interest in Ripple’s long-term business growth. He noted that equity exposure can offer valuation entry points that differ from XRP’s spot price movements. This distinction appeals to investors focused on fundamentals rather than short-term market volatility.

Lean Ventures managing partner Chris Kim reinforced that view, citing sustained demand for Ripple and XRP-related products across Korea. The country’s active digital asset market, combined with improving regulatory clarity, has encouraged institutions to explore larger and longer-term allocations. Korea’s role as a regional crypto hub strengthens the fund’s strategic positioning.

Regulatory Progress Supports Institutional Confidence

The launch coincides with broader regulatory milestones for Ripple. Recent developments, including Ripple securing an OCC banking license in the United States, have helped strengthen confidence among traditional finance players. 

These steps signal Ripple’s intent to integrate more deeply with regulated financial systems. As institutions weigh risk and compliance, such progress plays a critical role in decision-making.

Revenue Expectations and Market Reaction

VivoPower expects the fund to generate at least $75 million in combined management and performance fees over the next three years, based on the current target size. Any increase in fund scale or Ripple’s valuation could raise that figure. Following the announcement, VivoPower shares jumped about 13%, reflecting strong market reaction to the new revenue stream.

Crypto analyst Crypto Eri highlighted that the fund offers structured access to Ripple-linked growth. This model allows institutions to bypass direct exposure to XRP price swings while maintaining alignment with Ripple’s broader ecosystem. Does this signal a broader trend? Institutions increasingly favor private equity-style exposure within the crypto sector.

Ripple’s Institutional Path Expands

The fund launch underscores Ripple’s expanding reach into long-term capital markets. While XRP price action remains subdued, institutional interest continues to evolve through regulated and equity-based channels. 

South Korea’s role in this shift stands out clearly. As retail markets remain cautious, Ripple’s strategy now speaks directly to institutions seeking scale, structure, and regulatory clarity.