XRP News Today: Ripple Seeks US Banking Charter Amid XRP 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 integrate traditional finance with blockchain technology. The application, confirmed by CEO Brad Garlinghouse, places Ripple in a similar position to Circle, as both companies seek a federal trust bank license while Congress advances new stablecoin regulations.

If the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) approves Ripple's application, the company would operate under both state and federal oversight, joining a select group of crypto firms with such status. This charter would enable Ripple to expand its services nationwide without the need for multiple 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 coincides with the passage of the GENIUS Act, which establishes new standards for stablecoin issuers and places the OCC in charge of regulating major players.

The news of Ripple's banking license application has already had an impact on XRP, with the cryptocurrency jumping 3–5% on the announcement and trading near $2.30, testing key resistance levels. Technical analysts have identified a bullish pattern forming, with targets ranging from $2.65 to $3.04 if XRP can break above $2.34. Some models, considering institutional adoption and historical breakouts, suggest possible surges to $5 or even higher by year-end. However, there are significant hurdles that could impede this growth, including regulatory delays, the ongoing SEC litigation, market selling pressure, and potential resistance from traditional banks.

RippleNet and its On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) solution have seen global adoption, particularly in Asia and with partners like SBI Holdings. However, most US banks are not yet using XRP directly for settlement. 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. 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.