Ripple has received conditional approval for a federal banking license, which could allow it to operate under U.S. banking regulations. If granted, the license would enable the company to operate as a federally regulated financial institution under the country's legislation.
The approval strengthens Ripple's position in cross-border payments and in the infrastructure for settling digital assets in regulated financial markets. However, the advancement may not result in an immediate or substantial impact on the market price of XRP.
OCC paves the way for federal license
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has paved the way for Ripple to establish the Ripple National Trust Bank.
To receive full approval, Ripple still needs to meet specific regulatory and operational requirements of the OCC before licensing is finalized.
HUGE news! @Ripple just received conditional approval from the @USOCC to charter Ripple National Trust Bank. This is a massive step forward – first for $RLUSD, setting the highest standard for stablecoin compliance with both federal (OCC) & state (NYDFS) oversight.
To the…
— Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) December 12, 2025
Even if approved, Ripple would not operate like traditional banks, such as Bank of America or JPMorgan Chase. Trust banks are legally prohibited from accepting public deposits or offering conventional credit products, such as consumer loans.
Instead, a Ripple National Trust Bank would primarily focus on custody, settlement, and management of digital assets.
Despite the limitations, the approval represents an important regulatory milestone for the company's long-term operational strategy. Unlike state money transmission licenses, which geographically restrict operations, a federal authorization allows for regulatory coverage on a national scale.
This approval could influence the broader market sentiment, but primarily supports infrastructure development and institutional adoption.
CEO Brad Garlinghouse publicly commented on the decision, referencing long-standing criticisms from banking industry lobbyists regarding crypto companies.
The article Ripple becoming a bank: good or bad for XRP? was first seen on BeInCrypto Brazil.
