Ripple’s Big Bet: Becoming a Federally Chartered Bank

Ripple just applied for a national banking license, aiming to operate under both state and federal regulators, a rare move that CEO Brad Garlinghouse calls a “unique benchmark for trust.”

An OCC charter would cement Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin under strict oversight while unlocking new crypto banking opportunities.

And with its subsidiary seeking a Fed master account, Ripple could soon hold reserves directly with the central bank—a major advantage.

This comes hot on the heels of Circle’s similar application, proving that the future of crypto isn’t just decentralization—it’s full regulatory embrace.