Ripple Seeks Trust Bank Charter for XRP and RLUSD Settlement
Ripple has filed with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a federally chartered institution named Ripple National Trust Bank. Ripple National Trust Bank will focus on institutional liquidity and real-time global settlement using XRP and the RLUSD stablecoin. It will not offer retail services like checking accounts or mortgages but will manage digital asset reserves and operate new payment rails. The charter grants access to FedWire and ACH, enabling fast, final settlement and bypassing traditional intermediaries. If approved, Ripple can convert fiat into RLUSD directly, reducing costs and settlement times. The initiative aims to strengthen XRP’s role as a bridge asset and enhance RLUSD’s utility in institutional finance. By controlling the infrastructure for on-chain banking, Ripple seeks to set new standards in custody, compliance, and risk management. This move positions Ripple at the forefront of next-generation financial infrastructure, aligning with evolving U.S. regulations on digital assets.
Bullish
Ripple’s application for a federal trust bank charter is a bullish development for XRP and RLUSD. By creating Ripple National Trust Bank, Ripple gains direct access to FedWire and ACH, reducing reliance on intermediaries and cutting settlement times and costs. This infrastructure control enhances institutional confidence in XRP as a bridge asset and expands RLUSD’s utility. Historically, entities securing regulatory approval—such as Paxos Trust Company—saw increased market trust and trading volumes. In the short term, traders may respond positively to news of regulatory alignment and improved settlement rails, driving demand for XRP. In the long term, the bank charter could position Ripple as a leader in on-chain banking, fostering sustained adoption of both XRP and RLUSD among enterprises.