XRP’s Bullish Surge: Breaking $2.25 as Ripple Eyes U.S. Banking License

XRP has experienced a significant surge, breaking past the $2.25 resistance level and briefly touching $2.27, marking its highest price in weeks. This 4% intraday rally coincides with Ripple's strategic move to secure a U.S. national banking license, a development that has injected Optimism into the market. While technical indicators like the Connors RSI suggest caution, the bullish momentum reflects growing confidence in XRP's integration into traditional finance. As of July 17, 2025, this move positions Ripple among a growing list of crypto firms seeking deeper ties with conventional financial systems, potentially paving the way for broader adoption and regulatory clarity.

XRP Surges Past $2.25 as Ripple Pursues U.S. National Banking License

XRP rallied more than 4% in intraday trading, breaching the critical $2.25 resistance zone and briefly touching $2.27—its highest level in weeks. The surge comes as Ripple joins a growing list of crypto firms seeking deeper integration into traditional finance, with its pursuit of a U.S. national banking license fueling market optimism.

Technical indicators suggest caution despite the bullish momentum. The Connors RSI (CRSI) flashes overbought signals above 85, historically a precursor to short-term pullbacks. Yet traders remain undeterred, betting on Ripple's regulatory progress and the breakout's confirmation through elevated trading volumes.

Ripple Seeks National Banking License in Push Toward Mainstream Finance

Ripple has filed for a national banking charter with the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, marking another crypto firm's bid to bridge digital assets with traditional finance. The application follows Circle's recent pursuit of a trust bank license, signaling growing industry momentum toward regulatory compliance.

The San Francisco-based payments company aims to place its RLUSD stablecoin under federal oversight while maintaining existing New York state regulation. "This dual framework sets a new standard for stablecoin transparency," said Jack McDonald, Ripple's stablecoin lead. Parallel filings include a Federal Reserve master account application through subsidiary Standard Custody & Trust Company, which would enable direct reserve management with the central bank.

Industry observers note the strategic timing as stablecoin issuers increasingly seek banking partnerships. Ripple's MOVE could pave the way for expanded crypto services, including after-hours stablecoin redemptions and institutional-grade custody solutions.

Ripple CEO Clarifies Ties to Linqto Amid Bankruptcy Rumors and Regulatory Scrutiny

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has moved to distance the blockchain firm from investment platform Linqto, which faces bankruptcy proceedings and regulatory investigations. Linqto, known for providing retail investors access to pre-IPO shares of companies like Ripple, is under scrutiny from both the SEC and Justice Department for its sales practices.

Garlinghouse emphasized that Linqto's 4.7 million Ripple shares were acquired strictly through secondary market transactions with existing shareholders—not directly from Ripple. The clarification came amid concerns from XRP holders about potential exposure to Linqto's financial troubles. "XRP and Ripple shares are fundamentally different assets," Garlinghouse stated on social media, underscoring the separation between Ripple's operations and Linqto's independent share purchases.

Ripple Shares Are Safe Despite Linqto Bankruptcy, Says John Deaton

Attorney John Deaton has stepped into the chaos surrounding Linqto's bankruptcy, offering reassurance to retail investors holding Ripple, Circle, and SpaceX shares through the platform. With 11,500 affected investors, Deaton emphasizes their priority status in court proceedings, ahead of Linqto's regular shareholders.

The collapse has sparked fear among those who invested life savings into private equity deals via Linqto's SPV structure. Deaton counters the panic, stating that bankruptcy outcomes remain uncertain and that spreading fear serves no purpose. His intervention highlights the legal protections for investors in this specific case.

Market observers note this development could impact confidence in crypto-related private equity platforms. The situation underscores the importance of understanding investment structures, particularly when dealing with emerging asset classes like XRP and other digital assets.