Ripple has received final approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the federal regulator that charters and supervises national banks, to establish a national trust bank, marking a major regulatory milestone for the blockchain payments company as it expands into traditional financial services.

Announced on October 26, 2026, the decision completes the chartering process for Ripple National Trust Bank (RNTB). Ripple had previously received conditional authorization in December 2025, when it was among several cryptocurrency firms seeking federal banking oversight. The company confirmed the approval in an official announcement.

Federal Charter for Ripple National Trust Bank

Operating under federal supervision, the new institution will provide financial infrastructure for Ripple's institutional clients. Its approved activities include managing the reserves that support Ripple USD (RLUSD), serving as collateral trustee, and offering fiduciary digital asset custody services.

The trust bank will not, however, operate like a conventional commercial bank. National trust banks generally focus on safeguarding and administering assets rather than accepting traditional deposits or providing consumer loans — a structure that centers the charter on fiduciary and custody functions instead of retail banking.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse described the approval as an important step toward connecting cryptocurrency infrastructure with established banking systems, emphasizing the company's commitment to developing regulated financial products for institutional customers.

Stronger Regulatory Foundation for RLUSD

The charter also strengthens the regulatory structure supporting Ripple's U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD. Ripple launched the stablecoin in December 2024, and its market capitalization has since reached approximately $2.5 billion, according to the company.

Issuance of RLUSD will remain with Standard Custody & Trust Company, which operates under the supervision of the New York State Department of Financial Services. Meanwhile, Ripple National Trust Bank will introduce an additional layer of federal oversight for reserve management.

Ripple states that RLUSD is backed by U.S. dollar deposits, government securities, and other cash equivalents, and that the company publishes monthly independent attestations covering circulating supply and reserve assets — a recurring public checkpoint for the stablecoin's backing.

Crypto Companies Expand Into Regulated Banking

Ripple's approval reflects growing interest among cryptocurrency businesses in obtaining federal banking charters, which can enable them to offer institutional custody and asset management services within established regulatory frameworks. Other major digital asset companies have pursued similar authorizations as they seek closer integration with traditional finance, though federal supervision also brings additional compliance requirements and regulatory responsibilities.

For Ripple, the charter creates opportunities to expand its institutional services across payments, custody, and capital markets. With the chartering process now complete, RNTB's federal mandates — RLUSD reserve management, collateral trusteeship, and fiduciary custody — will operate under OCC supervision, while Standard Custody & Trust Company continues issuing RLUSD under New York regulation, giving the stablecoin both federal and state oversight. The development further underscores how stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure are becoming increasingly connected with the regulated U.S. financial system.