Hidden Road said on Thursday that it has received approval from the U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to operate as a U.S. broker-dealer, enhancing its fixed-income prime brokerage platform. The company plans to provide a wider range of services to institutional clients, including clearing, financing and primary brokerage of fixed income assets. It was previously reported that Ripple will acquire Hidden Road for US$1.25 billion, and the transaction is expected to be completed in the next few months, pending regulatory approval.