Evernorth has confirmed plans to make XRP more accessible for institutions and public-market investors through a planned Initial Public Offering (IPO) scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. CEO Ashish Birla shared these details during a conversation with Kristina Ayanian at NASDAQ’s MarketSite, highlighting the increasing integration of digital assets into traditional finance.
This strategic timing aligns with growing demand for regulated crypto exposure. Evernorth is positioning itself as a conduit for investors seeking XRP exposure without the complexities of directly managing digital assets.
Why Evernorth Prioritizes Simplicity
Birla explained that direct cryptocurrency ownership still presents significant hurdles. While managing wallets, securing private keys, and ensuring compliance may be feasible for some investors, it often proves too burdensome for many institutions.
Evernorth's business model is designed to eliminate these inconveniences. Rather than requiring investors to engage directly with blockchain infrastructure, the company offers exposure through a conventional equity structure.
Investors will purchase shares of Evernorth's XRPN stock, while the company manages custody, security, and compliance behind the scenes. Birla stated that this approach appeals to investors who desire XRP exposure in a familiar format, without needing new technical tools or specialized knowledge.
Evernorth Confirms Plans to Make $XRP Access Easy for Institutions Through Q1 2026 IPO. #Ripple 🧵🧵🧵 pic.twitter.com/uXGJFqBBHn
— TheCryptoBasic (@thecryptobasic) January 16, 2026
Regulation: The Primary Obstacle
Addressing regulatory concerns, Birla emphasized their critical importance for institutional entry into the cryptocurrency market. He noted that key considerations include AML/KYC compliance, capital protection strategies, and regulatory certainty.
Further elaborating on Evernorth's role in meeting institutional standards while maintaining strong ties to XRP, he added, "Evernorth has been around for over ten years. They have developed a whole set of products around blockchain that they are very knowledgeable about in order to stay regulatory safe."
This move towards regulated access coincides with the increasing momentum of XRP Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). With cumulative net inflows reaching $1.27 billion, Birla observed that recent ETF launches clearly indicate demand from public markets for compliant XRP exposure.
An Active Participant in the XRP Ecosystem
Evernorth intends to go beyond merely holding XRP. Birla indicated that the company plans to support financial products built on the XRP blockchain and actively engage within the ecosystem.
This includes generating yield on its XRP holdings and reinvesting the proceeds back into XRP. He described this as a transition from passive XRP holding to active contribution, benefiting both shareholders and the wider XRP network.
When asked about the distinguishing factors of leading digital treasuries, Birla highlighted scale and involvement. He stated that Evernorth already manages the largest XRP-focused treasury and aims to expand this position leading up to its IPO.
As the cryptocurrency landscape continues to merge with traditional financial markets, Evernorth anticipates that investors will seek familiar, regulated, and straightforward exposure, while remaining closely connected to the XRP network.