Ripple, a crypto payments company, is edging closer to a milestone that could redefine its role and XRP’s position in the global finance industry and the US banking sector. New reports reveal that the national banking charter, which the crypto firm had applied for earlier this year, could be approved soon, potentially turning Ripple’s dream of establishing a US bank a reality.
Ripple Could Secure National Bank Charter Soon
Market expert ‘Steph is Crypto’ announced on X this Wednesday that Ripple’s long-awaited national bank license is “imminent,” implying an approval could be granted soon. The analyst described this possibility as bullish. His optimism about the banking charter raised the expectations of crypto community members under his post, most of whom also agreed that the potential approval could be bullish for XRP.
Ripple Labs first revealed plans to establish a National Trust Bank in July 2025 when CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed that an application had been submitted to the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). If approved, the proposed bank will reportedly be headquartered in New York and operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Ripple.
Typically, the OCC spends about 120 days reviewing a bank charter application. Based on Ripple’s submission timing, the US regulator’s decision on the crypto company’s banking license was expected around October 2025. However, the process was delayed, and an official approval or rejection has been postponed until further notice.
At the time of writing, the OCC has not provided an official statement confirming the approval date of a Ripple banking license. Nevertheless, some members of the crypto community speculate that approval could be made by the end of this month, while others expect it within six months.
If the OCC grants the license, Ripple would officially function as a national trust bank under direct federal oversight. This status would give the company the authority to offer custody and settlement services for both digital and traditional assets. Experts also believe it could allow the company to integrate the RLUSD stablecoin, potentially driving a significant rise in institutional use of XRP in US financial markets.
New OCC Ruling Strengthens Ripple’s Bank Plans And XRP Utility
In a recent post on X, crypto analyst X Finance Bull highlighted a new ruling by the US OCC that clears the last major barrier keeping traditional banks hesitant to get involved in cryptocurrencies. According to the OCC’s official report, the new ruling allows US banks to use digital assets and currencies in their operations and to engage in riskless principal crypto transactions.
This new guidance comes at a perfect time for Ripple’s regulatory plans. The company positioned itself firmly within the compliance perimeter by applying for an OCC-regulated national bank license. The ruling also makes it fully permissible for national banks to use XRP and RLUSD for settlement and payment activities. Although the OCC’s decision applies only to national banks, it represents a foundational step toward Ripple’s potential entry into the US banking system.
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