Ripple Gets Federal Banking Green Light As OCC Moves Closer To Crypto Trust Banks

Source: ETHNews Original Title: Ripple Gets Federal Banking Green Light As OCC Moves Closer To Crypto Trust Banks Original Link: The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has granted conditional approval for Ripple to establish a national trust bank, marking a significant regulatory milestone for the blockchain firm and the broader digital asset industry.

The proposed entity, to be called Ripple National Trust Bank, is part of a wider wave of approvals announced on December 12, 2025, that also included applications from Circle, BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos.

What The OCC Approval Allows Ripple To Do

Ripple’s approval is conditional, meaning the company must still satisfy specific regulatory requirements before the bank can become fully operational. The OCC has authorized the institution as a de novo national trust bank, indicating it will be newly created rather than converted from an existing state-chartered entity.

As a national trust bank, Ripple’s operations will be narrowly focused. The institution will be permitted to provide trust services and related activities, including the issuance, management, and custody of digital assets. This scope includes Ripple’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin RLUSD, and could also support settlement activity tied to XRP.

Importantly, the bank will not engage in traditional commercial banking functions such as accepting deposits from the public or issuing loans.

Federal Oversight And Regulatory Significance

The national trust charter places Ripple under direct federal supervision by the OCC, adding an additional layer of oversight alongside the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), which already regulates Ripple’s stablecoin activities.

This dual oversight structure is viewed as a meaningful step toward aligning blockchain-based financial services with established U.S. regulatory frameworks. National trust bank status may also open the door to accessing federal payment infrastructure, including systems connected to the Federal Reserve, though final approval is still pending.

Broader Implications For Crypto And Markets

Ripple’s conditional approval comes amid a broader regulatory shift, as the OCC simultaneously moved forward with similar approvals for several major digital asset firms. Together, these decisions signal growing acceptance of crypto-native institutions within the U.S. financial system.

Following the announcement, XRP saw a noticeable increase in trading activity and price movement, reflecting heightened market attention and speculation around the long-term implications of Ripple operating under a federal banking charter.

While further steps remain before Ripple National Trust Bank becomes fully operational, the approval represents a meaningful advance in the integration of digital assets into regulated U.S. finance.