When everyone is debating how much XRP Ripple holds that would trigger a sell-off, the true experts have already set their sights on the next battlefield—a new continent where Decentralized USD redefines the rules of value flow.
The (Clear Act) that is being fiercely debated in the U.S. Congress hangs over Ripple like a Sword of Damocles. The bill stipulates that any crypto project wishing to be recognized as a 'commodity' cannot have its issuer hold more than 20% of the total supply. However, the XRP controlled by Ripple far exceeds this limit. The market is anxious: Will Ripple be forced to sell off on a large scale? But just when this 'old game' seemed to be at an impasse, a more hidden and disruptive path quietly opened up—a national trust bank license that Ripple is applying for may become the universal key to unlock all shackles.
01 The Dilemma of Old Rules and Ripple's 'Daring Leap'.
(Clarity Act)'s 20% limitation is essentially a blunt division of traditional regulatory thinking against the crypto world. It attempts to frame everything with the dichotomy of 'centralized vs decentralized', yet overlooks the complexities of business realities and technological evolution. For projects like Ripple, which have been building infrastructure from early on and must hold a large amount of tokens to ensure network security, this rule is nearly fatal.
However, Ripple's response demonstrates remarkable strategic wisdom. They did not struggle with the dilemma of 'whether to sell', but directly chose to upgrade the game—applying for a national trust bank license. Behind this move is a profound regulatory arbitrage logic: once it becomes a federally regulated banking entity, Ripple will enter a completely different regulatory framework, potentially completely avoiding the commodity classification restrictions of the (Clarity Act).
More critically, the banking license brings far more than regulatory exemptions. It will empower Ripple:
Direct access to the Federal Reserve payment system (Fedwire, FedNow), achieving 24/7 real-time settlement.
Issuing fully compliant stablecoin RLUSD without the need for third-party custody.
To establish institutional-level trust, becoming a bridge connecting traditional finance and the crypto world.
If this 'daring leap' succeeds, Ripple will transform from a blockchain company potentially constrained by regulations into a regulated financial infrastructure provider.
02 Decentralized USD: The 'indigenous currency' of the new continent.
As Ripple strives for a banking license, a parallel financial world is rapidly forming—represented by the decentralized stablecoin ecosystem of Decentralized USD. Unlike Ripple's RLUSD, a 'traditional route' stablecoin fully backed by bank reserves, Decentralized USD maintains value stability through algorithms, over-collateralization, and on-chain financial engineering, without relying on the credit endorsement of any centralized institution.
These two paths seem competitive but are actually complementary:
RLUSD represents a compliant and institutional path for entry, providing traditional capital with a familiar 'entrance'.
Decentralized USD represents the ultimate ideal of decentralization and resistance to censorship, retaining an 'exit' for crypto-native users.
Ripple's vision lies in not choosing one of these two paths but attempting to occupy both ecological niches simultaneously. With a banking license, it can issue and custody RLUSD; through its already established global payment network (based on ISO 20022 standards), it paves the way for future interoperability between Decentralized USD and traditional financial systems.
This reminds me of a friend who has been deeply involved in the cross-border trade industry for twenty years. Last year, when he completed a cross-border settlement through RippleNet in just a few minutes, costing only a fraction of traditional banks, he excitedly told me: 'This is not a technological improvement; it's a revolution in business models.' Now, as Ripple may obtain a banking license and deeply integrate the Decentralized USD ecosystem, this revolution will enter its next stage—from 'faster payments' to 'a whole new value internet.'
03 Future Landscape: When the pillars of the old continent meet the waterways of the new continent.
If Ripple successfully obtains a banking license, we will witness an unprecedented integration:
First-layer integration: the balance between regulation and innovation.
Ripple's national trust bank will become a regulated 'safe harbor' where traditional financial institutions can explore blockchain and digital assets without worrying about compliance risks. This will greatly accelerate the entry of institutional funds.
Second-layer integration: the interoperability of traditional finance and the crypto economy.
By directly accessing the Federal Reserve payment system, Ripple can achieve seamless flow of dollars between traditional bank accounts and blockchain addresses. When RLUSD and Decentralized USD are freely exchanged within this system, it effectively creates a two-way channel: traditional capital can compliantly enter the crypto world, and crypto assets can be safely exchanged for traditional currency.
Third-layer integration: the coexistence of centralized trust and decentralized ideals.
Ripple's banking entity provides the trust and compliance needed in the centralized world, while its supported Decentralized USD ecosystem retains the core values of the crypto world—resistance to censorship, user sovereignty, and financial inclusivity. This 'hybrid architecture' may become the mainstream form of the future financial system.
04 Opportunities for the Ordinary Person: Positioning Yourself at the Intersection of the Old and New Continents.
For ordinary investors and users, the transformation brings not only potential fluctuations in XRP prices but also a historic opportunity to participate in reshaping the global financial system.
Understanding the value of new infrastructure: the future winners may not be those holding the most tokens, but those who best understand and utilize the new financial infrastructure. Ripple's banking license, payment network, and stablecoin system represent such infrastructure.
Focusing on interoperability opportunities: in the process of merging traditional finance and the crypto economy, the greatest opportunities often arise at 'connection points'. Projects and technologies that facilitate the flow of value between the two worlds will reap excess returns.
Maintain an open yet cautious mindset: Innovations like Decentralized USD have great prospects but are still in early stages and carry technological and market risks. A prudent approach is to participate progressively while paying attention to the 'safe paths' offered by compliant stablecoins like RLUSD.
While most people are still anxious about XRP's short-term price and regulatory risks, real transformation has quietly begun. Ripple's decision to apply for a banking license is not merely to address the current regulatory dilemma, but also to position itself at the forefront of a new financial era led by Decentralized USD.
The outcome of this game is no longer 'Can Ripple maintain its XRP holdings?', but 'Can Ripple become the super node connecting the two financial worlds?'. On this new chessboard, the old rules are failing, and a new order is being established. For each of us, the most important thing is to recognize: the greatest risk is not market volatility but holding an old map while trying to find a new continent.
@USDD - Decentralized USD #USDD以稳见信
