A recent post from crypto commentator Stellar Rippler draws attention to a regulatory development that could alter how digital assets fit into the U.S. financial system.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has indicated that crypto companies seeking federal charters should be assessed on the same basis as traditional banks.
This position creates a clear path for Ripple to pursue a National Trust Charter, a step that would meaningfully change how XRP functions within regulated financial infrastructure.
OCC Just Quietly Greenlit Ripple’s Endgame: A Federally Chartered XRP Bank.
OCC Comptroller Jonathan Gould:
“Crypto firms should be treated like banks when applying for federal charters.”
Read that again. Not “maybe.” Not “someday.” Equal footing with banks.
What A National Trust Charter Would Allow
If Ripple secured such a charter, its role would extend far beyond operating a digital asset platform. A federally chartered trust can perform custody, clearing, and settlement functions under direct federal supervision.
This also brings potential access to Federal Reserve payment systems, repo facilities, treasury market infrastructure, and established institutional custody frameworks. Under these conditions, XRP could operate as a regulated settlement asset rather than simply a digital token, enabling more direct integration into established financial systems.
The charter would also allow the institution to connect to global liquidity channels without relying on intermediaries. This creates the possibility of building settlement pathways that are more direct, more compliant, and more suitable for institutional use. These changes would shift XRP’s utility from transactional movement to functioning as part of the underlying infrastructure that supports regulated financial transfers.
Operational Changes And Institutional Use Cases
With a federal charter, Ripple could facilitate cross-border settlement without the need for correspondent banks. This would reduce the inefficiencies found in nostro-vostro arrangements by enabling settlement through a single regulated institution with access to U.S. payment rails.
It also opens the door to managing tokenised treasuries and corporate debt at scale, which requires a regulated framework, institutional-grade custody, and verifiable settlement finality.
Such a setup could allow XRP to serve as a neutral bridge asset in multi-currency clearing environments. Instead of relying on several intermediaries, institutions could settle obligations through one supervised entity capable of handling liquidity, custody, and settlement flows.
Regulatory And Institutional Considerations
Earning a federal charter would bring significant oversight. Prudential regulation, compliance obligations, and risk management requirements would increase. Institutions considering XRP for settlement would still need to align these activities with internal policies and external regulatory expectations.
Even so, the OCC’s stance establishes a clear and formal route for eligible crypto firms to be treated on equal regulatory footing with banks.