Ripple is nearing approval for a US national banking license, signalling a significant shift towards integrating cryptocurrency with traditional financial systems and potentially transforming XRP's role in cross-border payments.
A major regulatory development might soon reshape how Ripple integrates with the broader U.S. financial landscape, signaling a noteworthy merging between crypto technology and traditional banking systems. So, Ripple’s efforts to secure a U.S. national banking license are currently in their final review stage, with October 30th flagged as a potential approval date. If granted a federal banking charter, Ripple’s reach would significantly extend beyond its current state-by-state licenses, allowing it to provide custody services, payment processing, and a wider array of financial options—all under federal oversight.
Such a license—honestly, it would be a big deal—would likely increase confidence among institutions considering partnerships. Banks, which are usually bound by strict rules, could feel more comfortable working with Ripple knowing it operates under federal supervision. This—well, at least to me—seems like it could finally break down the long-standing reluctance to adopt XRP for cross-border payments and other related uses. And interestingly enough, this review timing comes right after Ripple settled some legal uncertainties with the SEC, which had previously created a lot of confusion around XRP’s classification.
Ripple’s legal issues with the SEC kicked off back in late 2020, centered on the accusation that XRP sales were unregistered securities offerings. Over time, courts started to differentiate between different types of XRP transactions, ruling that programmatic sales on open exchanges aren’t securities, but sales to institutional investors are. This more detailed interpretation—based on the Howey Test—has really clarified things for XRP. And in early 2025, the SEC actually dropped its appeal after a court said that XRP sold on public markets isn’t a security—something Ripple’s leadership called a huge win and a sign of a shifting regulatory terrain.
More than that, settlement talks helped reduce tensions further. Ripple agreed to pay a smaller fine—$50 million compared to the earlier $125 million—without admitting any wrongdoing. These legal breakthroughs, along with the potential for federal banking approval, set the stage for Ripple to push forward with institutional adoption of XRP in a few key ways. First, it offers a compliant way for regulated players to use XRP for cross-border settlements, which has been a big sticking point. Second, with broader banking powers, Ripple might develop new products that make it easier to connect traditional currencies to digital ones, boosting XRP’s role as a kind of bridge asset. And finally, federal oversight could give Ripple the credibility it needs to attract asset managers and hedge funds—who, as you know, have to adhere to strict fiduciary standards.
So, this blend of legal clarity and licensing prospects comes at an interesting time. Regulatory agencies here in the U.S. seem to be taking a more nuanced approach to crypto oversight lately, especially since the SEC has backed off some enforcement actions against major players like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken. Many industry watchers see Ripple’s pursuit of a banking license as part of a bigger trend: trying to embed digital assets more securely within regulated financial frameworks. It’s almost like a model other crypto firms might follow if they’re aiming for legitimacy and broader market access.
While we’re still waiting on the final decision about Ripple’s application, the potential approval could have huge implications. It might set a precedent for how crypto companies can operate under federal banking laws, possibly speeding up the overall growth of the crypto economy and bringing it closer to traditional finance. It’s pretty interesting, right? This could mark a turning point—maybe even a stepping stone toward mainstream adoption.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://thetradable.com/crypto/ripples-us-banking-license-under-review-xrp-implications-ig--a - Please view link - unable to able to access data
- https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/sec-ends-lawsuit-against-ripple-company-pay-125-million-fine-2025-08-08/ - In August 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) concluded its lawsuit against Ripple Labs, initially filed in December 2020, over the alleged sale of unregistered securities through XRP token sales. Ripple agreed to pay a $125 million fine, as upheld by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres, who also imposed an injunction on XRP sales to institutional investors. The judge maintained that such sales fell under securities law, but ruled that XRP sales on public exchanges did not. This move follows the SEC’s decision to also cease enforcement actions against other major crypto platforms like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken.
- https://www.reuters.com/legal/ripple-ceo-says-us-sec-will-drop-appeal-against-crypto-firm-2025-03-19/ - In March 2025, Ripple Labs announced that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had withdrawn its appeal of a court ruling by U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres, which stated that the XRP token sold by Ripple on public exchanges did not meet the definition of a security. However, Torres ruled that Ripple's XRP sales of $728 million to institutional investors should comply with securities laws, resulting in a proposed $125 million fine that was on hold pending Ripple's appeal to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty celebrated the conclusion of the SEC's appeal, noting it as a victory and a shift in the regulatory landscape.
- https://www.reuters.com/legal/ripple-labs-says-it-settles-with-us-sec-will-pay-reduced-50-million-fine-2025-03-25/ - In March 2025, Ripple Labs reached a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) concerning a civil lawsuit over the alleged sale of unregistered securities. Ripple agreed to pay a reduced fine of $50 million instead of the originally imposed $125 million. Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty announced that the SEC would retain $50 million of the fine, which was currently in escrow. This settlement, pending approval from the SEC and the presiding judge, concluded one of the SEC's prominent cryptocurrency cases, reflecting the regulator's eased approach toward the crypto industry. Ripple did not admit any wrongdoing. Additionally, the SEC dropped its appeal regarding a judge's decision that XRP tokens sold on public exchanges do not qualify as securities.
- https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/what-ripples-partial-xrp-win-means-for-other-crypto-firms-fighting-sec - In July 2023, a U.S. District Court ruled that Ripple's programmatic sales of XRP on public exchanges do not constitute securities, marking a partial victory for Ripple in its legal battle with the SEC. The court's decision has broader implications for the crypto industry, as it suggests that secondary market transactions of digital assets may not fall under securities laws. This ruling could influence other crypto firms facing similar legal challenges, potentially leading to a shift in regulatory approaches toward digital assets.
- https://www.fasken.com/en/knowledge/2023/09/ripple-scores-partial-win-in-sec-court-fight-over-xrp/ - In September 2023, a court applied the Howey Test to analyze Ripple's different XRP transactions. The court concluded that XRP distributed through programmatic sales on cryptocurrency exchanges are not securities, as investors could not have known if their payments went to Ripple or other sellers. However, XRP sold through institutional sales was deemed to constitute an investment contract, thus a security. This decision provides clarity on the classification of XRP under U.S. securities law, distinguishing between different types of transactions.
- https://apnews.com/article/02bb5d70c23864db2421d4b70cf4cea0 - In March 2025, Ripple's CEO announced that the SEC had withdrawn its case against the company, a legal battle that began in 2020 when the SEC accused Ripple of raising $1.4 billion through the sale of unregistered XRP securities. This development is attributed to the Trump administration's facilitation of cryptocurrency regulations, contrasting with the previous administration's stricter stance. The SEC's withdrawal of the case is seen as a significant victory for Ripple and the broader crypto industry, potentially attracting new investors and revitalizing XRP trading on various platforms.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The narrative mentions a potential approval date of October 30th for Ripple's U.S. national banking license application. This date is in the future, indicating the content is current. However, the article references a previous settlement with the SEC from March 2025, which may suggest some recycled content. The presence of a specific future date enhances the freshness score. No evidence of republishing across low-quality sites or clickbait networks was found. The narrative appears to be based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. No similar content was found published more than 7 days earlier. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score: 9
Notes: The article includes direct quotes from Ripple's Chief Legal Officer, Stuart Alderoty, regarding the SEC's retention of $50 million of the fine and the return of the remaining funds. These quotes are consistent with statements made in the Reuters article published on March 25, 2025. No identical quotes were found in earlier material, suggesting the content is potentially original or exclusive. No variations in quote wording were noted.
Source reliability
Score: 6
Notes: The narrative originates from The Tradable, a source that is not widely recognized or verifiable. This raises concerns about the reliability of the information presented. The article references a Reuters report from March 25, 2025, which is a reputable source. However, the reliance on an obscure source for the primary narrative introduces uncertainty.
Plausability check
Score: 7
Notes: The narrative discusses Ripple's pursuit of a U.S. national banking license and its potential implications for XRP's institutional adoption. This aligns with recent developments in the cryptocurrency industry. The article mentions a specific potential approval date of October 30th, which is a plausible timeframe for regulatory decisions. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a concern. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, enhancing its credibility. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. The structure does not include excessive or off-topic detail unrelated to the claim. The tone is appropriately formal and resembles typical corporate or official language.
Overall assessment
Veredict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary: The narrative presents current information about Ripple's pursuit of a U.S. national banking license, with a specific potential approval date of October 30th. While the content appears to be original and includes direct quotes from a reputable source, the reliance on an obscure source for the primary narrative raises concerns about its reliability. The lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets further diminishes confidence in the information presented. Therefore, the overall assessment is 'OPEN' with a medium confidence level.