Ripple Receives Final OCC Approval for National Trust Bank Charter

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has granted final approval to Ripple for its national trust bank charter, completing a regulatory process that began with conditional approval in December 2025. This authorization allows Ripple to operate Ripple National Trust Bank (RNTB) under federal supervision, marking a significant integration of digital asset infrastructure into the traditional U.S. banking system.

Operational Scope

The newly chartered institution will serve specialized functions distinct from commercial banks. Its primary responsibilities include:

• Managing the reserves backing Ripple USD (RLUSD), the company’s stablecoin.
• Acting as a collateral trustee for RLUSD holders.
• Providing regulated digital asset custody services for institutional clients.

Unlike typical national banks, RNTB will not accept consumer deposits or issue loans, nor will it carry Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance Source: Cointelegraph. The actual issuance of RLUSD remains handled by Standard Custody & Trust Company, which is regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services Source: Cointelegraph.

Industry Context

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse described the approval as validation of his long-standing strategy that "crypto and banks work better together" Source: CoinDesk. This move positions Ripple alongside other major fintech firms seeking federal charters. Circle secured final OCC approval in July, while Coinbase, Crypto.com, and Stripe-owned Bridge remain at the conditional approval stage Source: Cointelegraph. The approval signals a broader trend of crypto firms building regulated financial products designed for institutional use rather than retail speculation Source: CoinDesk.