Crypto market maker B2C2 halts XRP trading with US counterparties

In the wake of the Securities and Exchange Commission's lawsuit against Ripple, crypto market-making firm B2C2 halted the trading of XRP with U.S.-based counterparties on Thursday, a representative of the firm confirmed to The Block. 

As one of the largest market-making firms in the crypto market, B2C2 operates in the U.S. through B2C2 USA. The unit, which launched in 2019, engages with B2C2's U.S. counterparties and previously alerted clients in a memo this week that the firm "may take further actions regarding trading in XRP products."

"We will promptly notify clients of any future developments," the company said at the time.

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Up until Thursday at 3 p.m. EST, U.S.-based clients could trade XRP normally with B2C2. That said, it did require clients looking to close XRP positions to execute their trade by voice. Non-U.S. clients can still trade XRP with the firm but are required to pre-fund all short trades. 

The move follows similar actions by trading firms like Galaxy Digital and Jump Trading, which both halted their XRP market-making. 

SBI Holdings, which announced its acquisition of B2C2 earlier this month, has a unique relationship with XRP and Ripple. SBI is one of Ripple's leading investors and took part in the firm's $200 million Series C. 

In January, SBI said it would give shareholders the option to receive XRP as a stock benefit.