XRP News Today: Ripple Seeks National Banking License for Enhanced Trust and Integration

Ripple has made a significant move towards mainstream financial integration by applying for a national banking license. The company's CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, recently announced that Ripple submitted its application to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This step indicates Ripple’s intention to operate under both federal and state oversight, a move that could enhance public and institutional trust in the company's operations.

Ripple already holds a BitLicense from the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). The potential federal charter would place Ripple under more comprehensive regulatory supervision. Garlinghouse emphasized that the goal is to enhance public and institutional trust, which is crucial for the adoption of digital assets in traditional financial systems.

In addition to its OCC application, Ripple is also pursuing a master account with the Federal Reserve through its subsidiary, Standard Custody. If approved, this account would allow Ripple to hold reserves for RLUSD directly with the central bank. Such access could provide Ripple with a substantial advantage, offering enhanced transparency and security for stablecoin holders. This level of direct integration with the Federal Reserve would set RLUSD apart from most stablecoins on the market, aligning it more closely with financial institutions that prioritize regulatory clarity and central bank engagement.

Ripple’s regulatory push has sparked discussion within the crypto community, especially regarding its potential impact on the utility and value of XRP. A prominent analyst suggested that with federal approval and Fed access, Ripple could be seen as operating on par with traditional banking giants. He argued that RLUSD would become significantly more credible under this framework, and XRP could be increasingly adopted for international settlements. This sentiment reflects broader expectations that institutional players are more likely to engage with digital assets that operate under strict compliance regimes and central bank connectivity.

To estimate XRP’s possible future valuation under various scenarios, several assumptions were modeled. One approach evaluates XRP’s role in facilitating global payments. If Ripple captures 10% of SWIFT’s estimated $150 trillion annual volume, and XRP is used with a turnover rate of 25, the total required liquidity would be around $600 billion. With approximately 55 billion XRP tokens in circulation, this results in a baseline valuation near $10.91 per coin, assuming purely utility-based demand.

Another perspective considers XRP’s use in supporting RLUSD’s transaction volume. If RLUSD grows to match USDC’s $32 billion market cap and XRP bridges half of its $100 billion in yearly transfers with a turnover rate of 20, $5 billion in XRP liquidity would be needed. Given full regulatory oversight from both the OCC and NYDFS, plus direct Fed access, a strong trust premium could apply, projecting XRP’s price to approximately $13.65.

Ripple’s ambitions also extend into facilitating the transfer of tokenized real-world assets, such as bonds and real estate. With the tokenization market expected to reach over $16 trillion by 2030, Ripple capturing even a small share could require XRP to support large transaction volumes. If 3% of that market is routed through Ripple and XRP manages a quarter of that on-chain, the liquidity need could hit $120 billion. Accounting for speculative and institutional demand, this model suggests a potential price of about $21.80 per token.

A final valuation scenario relies on projected transaction activity. If XRP processes $30 billion in daily settlement volume once adopted by banks, and the market applies a Network Value to Transactions (NVT) ratio typical of high-utility blockchains (25–30), the total implied market cap could approach $900 billion. Divided by the current supply, XRP’s estimated value would fall around $16.36.

While all projections remain speculative, they demonstrate the possible valuation range for XRP if Ripple achieves full regulatory integration and expands its role in institutional finance. Approval of a national bank charter, combined with access to a Federal Reserve master account, would not only enhance RLUSD’s stability but also position XRP as a credible bridge asset in global financial systems.