A subtle shift in US payment infrastructure could be opening an unexpected door for XRP. The latest proposal from the Federal Reserve to expand FedNow capabilities is sparking new conversations across the digital asset space, and XRP may be quietly entering the spotlight. Ripple’s Vision Aligns With Evolving Payment Infrastructure A transformative shift is unfolding in the US payment infrastructure, one that could impact Ripple and the role of XRP. Analyst XFinanceBull has revealed on X that the Federal Reserve has proposed expanding FedNow to allow banks and credit unions to use intermediaries for fund transfers. Related Reading: XRP Might Be The Most Recognizable Names In RWA, But Is It The Leader? Here Are The Numbers This move goes beyond the current limitation of direct transfers strictly between two US banks. Furthermore, the proposal could open the door for intermediaries to help bridge and facilitate the international side of the payment. XFinanceBull highlighted that Ripple National Trust Bank has already been conditionally approved by the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This charter would allow Ripple to custody digital assets, offer lending services, and gain direct access to the Federal Reserve System, such as FedNow for instant payments. The next step is the Fed Master Account application, which would directly connect a chartered bank to the Federal Reserve’s payment systems. Ripple is still waiting on this approval, and this is not speculation. Furthermore, research published in a peer-reviewed journal by the Financial Planning Association has explored how Ripple and XRP are building the bridge for cross-border transactions. It specifically noted that possible integration points include systems like FedNow access and participation in the discount window for liquidity support. By connecting the dots, the Fed is expanding FedNow to support cross-border payments through intermediaries, and Ripple already has a conditionally approved national bank charter. The Fed Master Account is the final piece that would connect Ripple directly to the Fed’s instant payment infrastructure. Meanwhile, over 300 financial institutions have been reported to be using it, adopting, or exploring XRP. At the same time, Ripple’s involvement with global institutions such as the IMF and the Bank for International Settlements underscores its focus on interoperability within the existing digital money. XFinanceBull concluded that this is not about replacing the system, but about becoming part of it. The Fed has just opened the door, and Ripple may already be holding the conditional key, waiting for final approval to step fully into the system. How XRP Enables Instant Currency Conversion XRP is rapidly redefining how value moves across the global financial system. An Ambassador known as Ledger Man has stated that XRP functions as a powerful bridge currency, capable of converting local currencies such as the Iraqi Dinar, Vietnamese Dong, and Venezuelan Bolivar into US dollars with speed, efficiency, and full transparency. Related Reading: Ripple Introduces New System To Merge Corporate Finance And Digital Assets With the system already going live through partnerships with firms like Temenos, this could be the future of digital banking and cross-border payments. Featured image from Getty Images, chart from Tradingview.com
"This charter is about bringing federal regulatory uniformity to the custody and market infrastructure business," Coinbase said.
Crypto organizations to have applied for the charter include Bridge, Ripple, Circle, BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos.
The potential impact of Ripple securing a full banking license is gaining significant traction after Teucrium Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sal Gilbertie discussed the crypto company’s massive holdings and the XRP price. Analysts are now weighing what it could mean if the XRP price climbs to $3 on the back of Ripple’s potential transformation from a crypto-focused firm into a top licensed bank. The XRP Price If Ripple Becomes A Top Bank In a recent X post, a crypto market commentator announced that Ripple could become a top-20 bank globally by market capitalization if it secures a full banking license. She published a video interview featuring Teucrium CEO Paul Barron and the host of the Paul Barron Network. Related Reading: Inside Ripple’s Buying And Selling Cycle — And Its Impact On XRP During the interview, Gilbertie laid out a scenario in which Ripple could become one of the largest banks in the world by simply maintaining its existing XRP holdings. He emphasized that if the crypto company obtains a full banking license, its 40 million XRP held in escrow could dramatically increase its balance sheet value and elevate its market position. By retaining the tokens, Ripple could automatically leverage them as a strategic asset in a regulated banking environment. Gilbertie also highlighted that if the crypto company becomes a licensed bank, it could propel the XRP price to $3, and from there, Ripple could be ranked among the top 20 banks globally by capitalization. The interview also explored the potential scaling if XRP reaches “multiples of $3.” The Teucrium CEO emphasized that Ripple’s valuation would expand in proportion to the cryptocurrency’s price, potentially propelling it to the top as the world’s leading bank. The interview also addressed on-chain operations and traditional financial infrastructures such as ETFs. When Barron asked whether leveraged ETFs could ever be on-chain, Sal confidently said yes, noting that all financial instruments will eventually operate on-chain. His response suggests a future in which traditional finance could be fully integrated with digital assets and blockchain technology. Update On Ripple’s Banking License Status Ripple has continued to progress through regulatory pathways that would allow it to operate with bank-like authority in the US. The crypto company previously received conditional preliminary approval from the United States Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a national trust bank charter. Related Reading: Inside Ripple’s Buying And Selling Cycle — And Its Impact On XRP This approval places Ripple alongside a handful of other crypto firms that have also taken steps toward becoming regulated banks under US law. While full approval has not yet been granted, Ripple continues to develop its payment rails through acquisitions, partnerships, and share buybacks. At the same time, XRP, the primary token supported by Ripple, is currently trading at $1.43 after rallying 14% this week to $1.6. Although it has given up most of its gains, analysts still maintain a bullish outlook for the cryptocurrency. Featured image from X, chart from Tradingview.com
Strategy has once again strengthened its aggressive digital asset vault, adding another billion-dollar allocation of Bitcoin to its growing treasury. The move reinforces the company’s long-standing belief that BTC represents the most reliable store of value in the digital era, positioning Strategy even further ahead as the largest corporate holder of the cryptocurrency. What Strategy’s Latest Purchase Means For The Capital Market According to analyst Adam Livingston’s post on X, Bitcoin advocate and Executive Chairman Michael Saylor of Strategy (MSTR) has released its latest Form 8-K, confirming another massive expansion of its BTC standard. Meanwhile, the BTC bears are currently consolidating around the market. Related Reading: Strategy’s Bitcoin Bet Now $3.35 Billion In The Red As Saylor Tells Investors To Wait This week, Strategy has intensified its aggressive accumulation strategy after revealing in a new filing that it raised more than $1.5 billion and used the capital to purchase 22,337 additional BTC. The latest acquisition pushes the company’s total BTC holding to approximately 761,068 BTC, reinforcing Strategy’s position as the largest corporate holder of the digital asset. Livingston argues that the balance sheet got heavier, the funding engine got smarter, and the anti-MSRT commentariat got hit with another folding chair made of SEC fillings. In the video shared by Livingston, the expert explains why Strategy’s latest move is viewed as overwhelmingly bullish for its long-term outlook. Furthermore, Livingston shared insight on how STRC is becoming a game-changer for common shareholders by offering a more efficient way for Strategy to raise capital and expand its BTC holdings without relying on traditional methods. The analysis also addresses ongoing criticism around dilution, which many bearish takes fail to account for the underlying mathematics of Strategy’s model. The company is evolving into a powerful BTC accumulation vehicle that is systematically absorbing liquidity from the market and positioning itself as a dominant force in the digital asset space. Why Cross-Margining Is A Game-Changer For Hedge Funds The recent regulatory developments are marking a significant shift in how Bitcoin is being integrated into traditional finance. Crypto analyst MartyParty revealed that the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), alongside institutions like the Options Clearing Corporation, has advanced rules via filings that allow cross-margining using BTC ETF holdings as collateral. Related Reading: US Bitcoin ETFs Hit 5-Day Inflow Streak For First Time In 2026 These changes allow hedge funds and institutional investors to use holdings in spot BTC ETFs such as IBIT and FBTC as collateral for equity options trading and other margin requirements. MartyParty highlighted that this development builds on earlier milestones, such as the approval of options BTC ETFs in 2024, including the ongoing expansion. Together, these developments reduce friction for institutions, making it easier to integrate BTC into broader portfolios without liquidation or segregating assets. The broader implication is a maturing financial ecosystem where BTC is increasingly treated as a legitimate collateral asset in TradFi, boosting liquidity and efficiency for large players. Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com
Consumers agree by a 6-to-1 margin that stablecoin yield laws “should be cautious and not take any steps that could undermine our existing financial system."
The Bank Policy Institute is reportedly weighing a lawsuit against the OCC over national trust charters for crypto and fintech firms.
Senate Bill 314 provides a framework for payment stablecoin issuers in the state, aligning with federal GENIUS Act standards.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has recently given conditional approval to several stablecoin issuers to become banks.
The license would allow the firm to operate like a traditional bank and gain direct access to payment networks like Fedwire and ACH.
A charter would allow ZeroHash to operate under a single federal framework, rather than state-by-state rules and offer services aligned with recent legislation.
"To us, the banks will eventually lose on this issue politically as they are arguing against consumers getting paid money."
USAT CEO Bo Hines has said Tether could become one of the top 10 buyers of U.S. Treasury bills this year as demand for stablecoins grows.
The OCC's proposal's stablecoin yield procedures are the most ambiguous in that rulemaking plan.
Morgan Stanley filed for a de novo national trust bank charter that would allow it to custody digital assets, according to Bloomberg.
The following article is adapted from The Block’s newsletter, The Daily, which comes out on weekday afternoons.
Payoneer filed an application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to establish PAYO Digital Bank and issue a stablecoin.
The national trust charter institution would consolidate custody services under a single framework under federal oversight.
Crypto.com has secured conditional approval from the OCC to pursue a federally chartered national bank license in the future.
The latest inquiry lands amid broader Democratic pressure over Trump-linked crypto activity and World Liberty Financial.
Stablecoin platform Bridge, acquired by Stripe last year, received conditional approval from the OCC, the firm said on Tuesday.
The ABA urged the OCC to confirm that resolution tools are sufficient for uninsured crypto banks before approving further charters.
XRP and Bitcoin (BTC) were pitted against each other in a recent analysis, with market expert X Finance Bull revealing what early investors could have gained if they had invested $500 into both XRP and BTC in 2014. The analysis compares the performance of both cryptocurrencies over the years, highlighting the factors behind XRP’s growth and sustained momentum. What $500 In Bitcoin And XRP in 2014 Is Worth Today A new analysis by X Finance Bull reveals the dramatic growth potential of early investments in Bitcoin and XRP. According to the report, a $500 investment in XRP at the 2014 lows would be worth approximately $255,000 today. He compares XRP’s gains with those of Bitcoin, noting that if investors had bet the same amount in BTC in 2014, their investments would have grown to around $133,000. Related Reading: Analysts At Leading Wealth Manager Predict Bitcoin’s 2026 Price, And It’s Very Bullish These figures suggest that XRP outperformed Bitcoin by more than twice over the same period, delivering a 511-fold return, compared to BTC’s 266-fold gain. During that time, XRP’s performance benefited not only from early, steady adoption and speculative interest but also from the continued development of its underlying payment system. Over the years, XRP has moved beyond a purely speculative asset, gaining more traction as it evolves into a potential global settlement layer. Sharing similar sentiments, X Finance Bull highlighted how XRP’s infrastructure developments have significantly supported its significant price growth today. He noted that the cryptocurrency has seen major progress in areas such as Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), banking licenses, and enterprise-level adoption. Notably, XRP Spot ETFs officially launched in November 2025, attracting massive inflows that have significantly boosted demand for XRP among institutional investors. In addition, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has conditionally approved Ripple’s application to establish a national trust bank charter. All of these developments have contributed to XRP’s price growth over the past few months. Investors Reap Rewards For Holding XRP Through Volatility In his post, X Finance Bull suggested that investors who held onto their XRP positions through the volatile years “know why they held.” Following the cryptocurrency’s dramatic rally above $3, many investors reaped the rewards of staying invested from its lows and trusting in its potential for future price appreciation. Related Reading: XRP’s 1,500% Path To $24: Analyst Warns Investors To Be Prepared For When The Correction Resolves From 2018 to 2025, XRP struggled with a lawsuit filed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). During those years of legal turmoil, many investors continued to hold onto their XRP despite the uncertainty and price stagnancy. Following Ripple’s legal win, XRP surpassed $3 in 2025, marking its first break above that level since 2018. Compared to XRP, Bitcoin has also experienced significant growth in the past few years. After crossing the $100,000 threshold in 2024, BTC continued its surge into 2025, finally hitting a peak above $126,000 in October. Featured image from Shutterstock, chart from Tradingview.com
The Brazilian digital bank announced it received conditional OCC approval to provide deposit accounts, credit cards, lending and digital asset custody in the United States.
Laser Digital’s application places it alongside a growing group of crypto firms seeking federal trust bank status in the US.
The fintech company believes a de novo banking license under the Trump administration will be faster than acquiring an existing bank, avoiding the need to maintain physical branches.
President Trump reportedly sued JPMorgan Chase and its CEO Jamie Dimon over allegedly debanking multiple accounts tied to the president.
Crypto pundit XRP Queen has described an XRP price target of $10 as being too low, claiming that this target was from a retail investor’s perspective. She also suggested how high the altcoin could go from an institutional standpoint. Pundit Claims XRP Price Target Of $10 Is Too Low In an X post, XRP Queen stated that people predicting XRP price targets of between $10 and $25 are still thinking of retail price targets. This came as she claimed that Ripple has been thinking about global infrastructures. The pundit highlighted the firm’s moves, including its acquisition of payment and custody infrastructure. Related Reading: XRP Price Could Surge Another 30% If This Trend Is Confirmed Furthermore, XRP Queen noted that Ripple has integrated with banks, funds, and institutions, which she claimed is positioning the altcoin for real-time global settlement. The pundit also believes that the crypto firm has secured regulatory clarity where it actually matters, which is bullish for the XRP price. Lastly, she mentioned that Ripple is actively pursuing a full banking license, having secured conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). XRP Queen declared that Ripple’s moves are how one builds financial plumbing. “Systems don’t move in pennies. They move in orders of magnitude. Lock in,” she added. Regarding how high the XRP price could rise based on institutional targets, XRP Queen suggested the altcoin could reach $100. In an X post, she stated that people laugh at an XRP price target of $100 because they price it like a meme, but that institutions price the altcoin like infrastructure. As such, she believes the altcoin could reach these price targets based on its utility, especially as it gains traction as a token for real-time global settlement. Canary Capital CEO Makes Bullish Case For XRP In a YouTube video, crypto pundit Cheeky Crypto highlighted a statement from Canary Capital’s CEO, Steven McClurg, in which he said that an XRP price target of between $5 and $10 may sound like a lot to a retail trader. However, he believes that these price targets are a rounding error when one considers the trillions of dollars in liquidity required to settle global real-world assets (RWAs) at scale. Related Reading: XRP Wave C Push On The Way: What Could Send Price Below $2? Cheeky Crypto also highlighted McClurg’s statement, in which he said the XRP Ledger is already processing real financial transactions and boasts real-world financial use cases, which he claims are drawing institutions’ attention. Notably, the Canary Capital CEO had recently predicted that XRP would dominate the RWA industry, which is projected to become a trillion-dollar industry at some point. This could boost the altcoin’s utility as the XRP Ledger processes more RWA transactions, sending the XRP price higher in the process. At the time of writing, the XRP price is trading at around $1.95, down in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap. Featured image from Pixabay, chart from Tradingview.com
The following article is adapted from The Block’s newsletter, The Daily, which comes out on weekday afternoons.
The national banks regulator OCC released a statement signaling a shift in rules that will have significant crypto market consequences across the United States.