Ripple National Trust Bank Receives Final Federal Approval
New York, NY – October 26, 2025 – Ripple has secured federal banking oversight with the final approval of Ripple National Trust Bank by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The decision, granted on October 26, concludes a regulatory review that commenced with conditional approval in December 2025.
This landmark approval arrives just ahead of Ripple Swell, the company’s annual conference, and positions Ripple among a select group of crypto-native firms operating under direct federal banking supervision in the United States.
The Mandate of Ripple National Trust Bank
Ripple National Trust Bank will be established with Ripple’s dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, at its core. The bank’s primary functions will include:
Joining an Elite Group of Crypto Banks
With this charter, Ripple joins a small cohort of cryptocurrency companies that have achieved national trust bank status. This exclusive club includes Circle, the issuer of USDC, as well as BitGo and Fidelity Digital Assets. The inclusion of Ripple signifies that two of the largest regulated dollar stablecoins are now backed by federally chartered institutions.
Leadership Perspectives on the Approval
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse emphasized that the charter provides a federally supervised foundation for RLUSD, characterizing it as evidence of the potential for synergy between cryptocurrency and traditional banking. “The revolution isn’t happening outside the system,” Garlinghouse stated on X. “It’s happening from within it.”
Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty highlighted that this outcome aligns with Ripple’s long-standing strategy to operate “within the regulatory perimeter, not around it.” He believes that clear regulations and stringent oversight are crucial for fostering trust and enabling the growth of new financial systems.
Jack McDonald, who heads Ripple’s stablecoin business, described the charter as more than just a bureaucratic milestone. He noted that it integrates federal banking supervision directly into the infrastructure that financial institutions utilize.
Implications for RLUSD
A significant hurdle for institutional adoption of stablecoins has been the requirement for reserves to be held by a regulated custodian. By having a federally chartered trust bank manage its reserves, RLUSD is now positioned to meet this critical demand. This development is expected to facilitate the adoption of RLUSD by banks, asset managers, and corporate treasuries.
Impact on XRP
While the new charter specifically pertains to RLUSD and custody services, it does not directly cover XRP. However, some members of the XRP community anticipate that the growth of RLUSD and its integration with the XRP Ledger could lead to increased liquidity and utility for XRP, given their frequent trading correlation. This potential linkage remains an aspiration rather than a confirmed outcome. Nevertheless, the OCC approval significantly bolsters Ripple’s regulatory standing as it continues to expand its business operations.
