VivoPower Announces a $121M Private Funding to Become First XRP Treasury-focused Publicly Traded Company

VivoPower Secures $121M to Launch First XRP-Focused Treasury Among Public Companies

VivoPower International PLC (NASDAQ: VVPR), a sustainable energy firm, has raised $121 million through a private share placement to establish an XRP-focused treasury, marking it as the first publicly traded company to adopt such a strategy. The funding round, announced on May 28, 2025, was led by Saudi Arabia’s Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Abdulaziz Al Saud, who contributed $100 million, with the company selling 20 million shares at $6.05 each—slightly above the last closing price of $6.04.

Strategic Shift and Leadership

The capital will primarily be used to purchase and hold XRP, build out a treasury and DeFi team, reduce debt, and support working capital needs. VivoPower also plans to contribute to the XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem for decentralized finance solutions. Adam Traidman, former Ripple board member and CEO of SBI Ripple Asia, has joined as Chairman of the Board of Advisors, adding credibility to the pivot. The company aims to spin off its electric vehicle brand Tembo and digital mining firm Caret Digital by Q3 2025, focusing its core operations on this new XRP strategy.

Market Context and Implications

Prince Abdulaziz, a long-term XRP holder, noted VivoPower’s strategic focus on XRP and its ecosystem as key reasons for the investment. This move comes amid growing institutional interest in XRP, fueled by recent U.S. crypto regulatory clarity and anticipation of spot XRP ETF approvals by year-end. However, XRP’s price showed no immediate reaction, trading at $2.31 as of May 27, with analysts suggesting the impact will be long-term. VivoPower shares, however, surged up to 26% before stabilizing, reflecting investor enthusiasm for the crypto pivot.

This aligns with a broader trend of corporate treasury adoption of digital assets, though most have focused on Bitcoin or Ethereum. VivoPower’s emphasis on XRP sets it apart, potentially positioning it as a leader in XRPL-based financial innovation. The deal, managed by Chardan under Regulation S, awaits shareholder approval on June 18, 2025.

Critical Perspective

While the announcement signals confidence in XRP’s future, it raises questions about the risks of concentrating a public company’s treasury in a single altcoin, especially given XRP’s ongoing legal battles with the SEC—despite recent rulings clarifying it’s not a security in secondary markets. Additionally, the involvement of high-profile figures like Prince Abdulaziz and Traidman may bolster credibility, but it also highlights the speculative nature of such a pivot for a company traditionally focused on renewable energy. The lack of immediate price movement in XRP suggests market caution, and VivoPower’s success will hinge on broader adoption of XRPL and navigating regulatory hurdles.