Ripple Labs has reportedly increased its acquisition bid for Circle from $5 billion to $20 billion following an initial rejection. The move is part of Ripple's broader strategy to expand its stablecoin presence and institutional market reach. Earlier, Ripple acquired Hidden Road, a prime broker, for $1.25 billion to enhance institutional flow and distribution, integrating its RLUSD stablecoin into both decentralized finance (DeFi) and traditional finance (TradFi) sectors. This expansion has contributed to a 164% month-over-month increase in RLUSD's market capitalization, reaching $317 million. Ripple's aggressive pursuit of Circle aims to secure immediate stablecoin dominance amid competition with other cryptocurrencies like Cardano. Market analysts note that Circle's rejection of Ripple's initial offer surprised industry experts, with some suggesting Circle may regret the decision as it prepares for a potential $10 billion initial public offering (IPO).