Ripple recruits LME treasury veteran for tokenization push

Thompson will exit his role as senior vice president and head of treasury at the LME on August 31, bringing over 15 years of financial services experience to the blockchain company. His previous career includes risk and liquidity management roles at Deutsche Bank, ICAP, and the London Clearing House. While Ripple has not disclosed his exact title or specific product roadmap, the appointment aligns with the firm’s broader transition from cross-border payments toward a comprehensive capital-markets platform.

This personnel change follows the recent launch of Ripple Prime’s Delta One business, which offers institutional clients access to total return swaps across equities and digital assets. By integrating Thompson, Ripple aims to refine its tokenized-asset architecture—which already supports the issuance of funds and securities—while connecting it more tightly with collateral mobility and clearing services. Despite the hire, Ripple has not confirmed any immediate plans to launch commodity-backed tokens or integrate XRP into specific LME-linked trading products. The company continues to build its institutional footprint following its acquisition of Hidden Road, focusing on regulated transfer agency and trading infrastructure.