XRP News Today: Stripe's Bridge Pursues Federal Oversight to Unlock Trillion-Dollar Tokenization

Stripe Inc.'s stablecoin infrastructure unit, Bridge, has applied for a national bank trust charter from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), signaling its intent to operate as a federally regulated stablecoin issuer under the framework established by the GENIUS Act. The move positions Bridge to join a select group of firms, including Circle and Paxos, vying for federal oversight as the stablecoin sector grapples with regulatory clarity and competition. If approved, the charter would enable Bridge to issue and manage dollar-backed tokens under a unified compliance framework, streamlining Stripe's expanding stablecoin offerings for merchants and developers.

Zach Abrams, co-founder of Bridge, emphasized that the regulatory infrastructure would "enable us to tokenize trillions of dollars and make this future possible". Stripe's acquisition of Bridge for $1.1 billion last year marked a strategic pivot into blockchain-based payments, with initiatives like its Open Issuance platform and partnerships with Coinbase and Shopify underscoring its ambition to integrate stablecoins into global commerce. The application follows a broader industry trend, as firms like Ripple and Anchorage Digital also seek federal charters to navigate a fragmented regulatory landscape.

The GENIUS Act, signed into law this summer, has accelerated this race by setting national standards for stablecoin reserves and disclosures. By operating under the OCC's supervision, Bridge would align with these requirements while differentiating itself from state-licensed rivals. This could enhance institutional trust, particularly as Stripe tests stablecoin-based subscription services and develops Tempo, a Layer 1 blockchain for payment settlements.

However, challenges remain. The OCC's charter process typically takes months, requiring rigorous scrutiny of compliance systems and risk management protocols. Critics, including banking groups, have raised concerns about stablecoin rewards creating deposit flight from traditional banks. Meanwhile, the European Union is separately considering restrictions on multi-jurisdiction stablecoins, targeting firms like Circle and Paxos over liquidity risks.

For Stripe, the stakes are high. With 3.5 million merchant clients, a federal charter could unify its stablecoin operations under a single regulated entity, reducing compliance friction and expanding cross-border payment capabilities. Yet, the outcome will depend on regulatory scrutiny and the evolving dynamics between crypto innovators and traditional financial institutions. As Abrams noted, "We've long believed stablecoins will be a core, regulated financial building block".

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[1] Stripe's Bridge Applies for U.S. Bank Charter to Issue Regulated Stablecoins (https://financefeeds.com/stripes-bridge-applies-for-u-s-bank-charter-to-issue-regulated-stablecoins/)

[2] Stripe's Bridge Applies for National Bank Trust Charter to Expand Stablecoin Business (https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/10/14/stripe-s-bridge-applies-for-national-bank-trust-charter-to-expand-stablecoin-business)

[6] The Loophole Turning Stablecoins Into a Trillion-Dollar Fight (https://www.wired.com/story/genius-act-loophole-stablecoins-banks/)

[10] Ripple, Circle, and Paxos Drive Stablecoin Regulation Battle to the OCC (https://coincentral.com/ripple-circle-and-paxos-drive-stablecoin-regulation-battle-to-the-occ/)

[13] EU Moves Toward Shock Stablecoin Ban, Threatening Major Issuers (https://blockonomi.com/european-regulators-target-circle-and-paxos-in-stablecoin-crackdown/)