Ripple Seeks U.S. National Bank Charter to Expand Stablecoin and Payment Services

Ripple Labs has officially applied for a U.S. national bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), aiming to establish Ripple National Trust Bank. This move mirrors Circle’s earlier banking ambitions and could mark a major milestone in Ripple’s push into mainstream finance.

If approved, the New York-based trust bank would enable Ripple to bypass intermediary banks, reduce settlement costs, and access the Federal Reserve’s payments infrastructure through a sought-after Fed Master Account. Such access would allow Ripple to directly hold reserves for its upcoming stablecoin, RLUSD, boosting operational efficiency and regulatory credibility.

According to public documents shared by prominent XRP community member Wrathofkahneman, Ripple’s trust bank would focus on B2B banking and financial infrastructure. The application outlines plans for managing stablecoin reserves and offering fiduciary services that complement Ripple’s broader payments ecosystem. The bank would be wholly owned by Ripple Labs and governed by a five-member board, including Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty.

Notably, the application does not reference XRP, Ripple’s flagship digital asset, though community observers suggest this does not rule out future integration. The charter process, overseen by the OCC, will determine whether Ripple joins the small group of crypto firms holding federal banking licenses, a step that could transform its standing in the U.S. regulatory landscape.

Ripple’s bid comes amid heightened competition among crypto companies to secure bank charters and integrate more deeply with traditional financial systems, signaling accelerating convergence between blockchain innovation and U.S. banking regulation.