Ripple Secures Conditional OCC Approval for National Banking License - A Watershed Moment for Crypto

Ripple just cleared a monumental regulatory hurdle—the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency gave its conditional nod for a national banking charter. This isn't just another permit; it's a potential game-changer for how digital assets integrate with the legacy financial system.

The Regulatory Green Light

Forget vague statements of support. This conditional approval from a top-tier U.S. banking regulator signals a tangible shift. It grants Ripple a formal pathway to operate as a regulated national trust bank, a status that could unlock a suite of financial services currently bottlenecked by compliance gray areas.

What This Unlocks for Ripple

The charter isn't about printing money—it's about printing legitimacy. It paves the way for Ripple to custody digital assets, facilitate cross-border settlements, and issue stablecoins under a federally recognized framework. This moves XRP and its underlying technology from the speculative fringe closer to the operational core of finance.

The Bigger Picture for Crypto

Ripple's progress acts as a regulatory bellwether. A successful implementation could pressure other agencies to clarify their stances, potentially creating a domino effect of institutional adoption. Of course, Wall Street will likely find a way to charge a hefty 'compliance convenience fee' for the privilege.

This conditional approval is more than a win for one company. It's a critical stress test for the entire thesis of regulated crypto finance. If Ripple can navigate the final conditions, it won't just be building a bank—it could be building the blueprint.

TLDR

• Ripple receives conditional OCC approval for its National Trust Bank license.
• Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin gains regulatory oversight, positioning for growth.
• OCC grants national banking charter to Ripple, Circle, Paxos, and others.
• Ripple aims to offer payment and custody services with its new banking license.

The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has granted Ripple a conditional approval to operate as a national trust bank. This move marks a major milestone for the cryptocurrency company, further solidifying its presence in the regulated financial sector. Ripple is now one of several firms, including Circle and Paxos, to receive conditional approval for a national banking license.

The approval comes after Ripple’s initial application in mid-2025 for the charter, which it described as a key step forward for the company’s operations. As part of the approval, Ripple must meet specific pre-opening conditions before it can fully begin operating as a trust bank under the oversight of the OCC.

Ripple’s National Trust Bank Application

Ripple’s application for a national banking license was reviewed by the OCC, which applied the same standards as it WOULD for any other charter application. The OCC, which oversees nearly 60 national trust banks, stated that Ripple must satisfy all requirements before receiving final approval.

Once fully operational, Ripple will join other national trust banks that provide services such as payment and custody services. The OCC also noted that Ripple’s application was carefully reviewed based on regulatory and statutory factors, ensuring that it aligns with current banking standards.

Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, emphasized the importance of the approval in a press release, calling it a significant advancement for their RLUSD stablecoin. The stablecoin, now under more stringent regulatory oversight, is positioned to meet both federal and state compliance standards. “This is a massive step forward for Ripple and the RLUSD stablecoin,” said Garlinghouse.

Circle, Paxos, and Other Firms Also Approved

Ripple’s approval from the OCC follows similar conditional approvals granted to other cryptocurrency companies. Circle, the issuer of USDC, was granted approval to operate First National Digital Currency Bank. Paxos, BitGo, and Fidelity were also conditionally approved to convert their state trust company charters to national trust bank charters.

The OCC’s move to grant these licenses is seen as a step toward integrating cryptocurrency businesses into the traditional financial system. As more crypto firms look to expand and offer services like payment processing and custody of digital assets, regulatory oversight becomes increasingly important for their credibility in the market.

Ripple’s Strategic Vision for RLUSD Stablecoin

For Ripple, the conditional approval from the OCC presents an opportunity to bring its RLUSD stablecoin into a regulated environment. The company’s CEO stressed that the added regulatory oversight would boost the stablecoin’s credibility, especially among institutions and traditional financial players. “As traditional finance continues to enter the market, they will look to leverage stablecoins with the highest regulatory rigor and compliance,” Garlinghouse added.

The new approval allows Ripple to offer services like payment processing, custody of reserves, and the execution of trades as agents for clients. The company’s goal is to create a more compliant and trusted environment for the adoption of stablecoins like RLUSD, especially as the cryptocurrency market grows in complexity and regulatory requirements evolve.