XRP News Today: Ripple Seeks US Banking Charter Amid XRP Price Surge

Ripple has made a significant move by applying for a US national banking charter, which has sparked discussions about the future of XRP and the company's aspirations to connect traditional finance with blockchain technology. The application, confirmed by CEO Brad Garlinghouse, places Ripple alongside Circle in seeking a federal trust bank license as Congress advances new stablecoin regulations. The outcome of this application could significantly alter Ripple's role in the financial sector and determine whether XRP can finally break out of its long-standing price range.

If approved by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Ripple would operate under both state and federal oversight, joining a select group of crypto firms with such status. The charter would enable Ripple to expand services nationwide without needing dozens of state licenses, directly custody reserves for its RLUSD stablecoin with the Federal Reserve if its master account application is also approved, deepen institutional partnerships by offering regulated custody, payment, and settlement services, and enhance trust and compliance in the eyes of banks and large enterprises. This move comes as the GENIUS Act is passed, setting new standards for stablecoin issuers and putting the OCC in charge of regulating major players.

The news of the banking license has already boosted XRP, which jumped 3–5% on the announcement and is trading near $2.30, testing key resistance levels. Technical analysts see a bullish pattern forming, with targets ranging from $2.65 to $3.04 if XRP can break above $2.34. Some models, factoring in institutional adoption and historical breakouts, suggest possible surges to $5 or even higher by year-end. However, bearish and cautionary voices point to significant hurdles, including regulatory delays, the SEC litigation overhang, market selling pressure, and competition and banking lobby resistance.

While RippleNet and its On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) solution have seen global adoption, especially in Asia, most US banks are not yet using XRP directly for settlement. However, the banking license could open doors for more regulated, large-scale institutional use—especially if Ripple can offer custody and payment services under federal oversight. On-chain metrics show XRP Ledger processing over 8 million payments weekly, with positive money flow and RSI indicators suggesting smart money accumulation. Yet, true institutional adoption remains the key to sustaining higher price levels and breaking out of the current trading range.

The process of obtaining a banking license is rigorous and can be slowed by political, legal, or industry opposition. Direct access to Fed payment rails would be a game-changer, but remains rare for crypto firms. Any negative outcome could cap XRP’s upside, regardless of banking status. As the OCC weighs its decision, all eyes are on the charts, the courtrooms, and the corridors of Washington. Ripple’s US bank license bid is more than a compliance move—it’s a high-stakes gamble that could redefine XRP’s future. Bulls see a path to $5 and beyond; skeptics warn of regulatory quicksand.