US Just Approved Ripple and Other Major Firms Into Banking System — Here’s Where XRP Fits In

Core Insights - The U.S. banking system has opened its doors to major players in the crypto industry, with the OCC conditionally approving five firms, including Ripple and Circle, to operate as national trust banks [1][2][3] Group 1: Regulatory Developments - The OCC's decision signals a move towards integrating parts of the crypto sector into the traditional financial framework [2] - Five crypto firms received conditional approval to establish or convert into national trust banks, joining approximately 60 other national trust banks already overseen by the OCC [3][4] - The approval builds on a precedent set in 2021 when Anchorage Digital became the first crypto-focused firm to receive a national trust charter [5] Group 2: Operational Scope - The approved firms are not allowed to take deposits or issue loans but can custody assets, process payments, and provide fiduciary services under federal supervision [4] - All five firms must meet capital, governance, compliance, and risk-management conditions before becoming fully operational [4] Group 3: Industry Reactions - The OCC's move is seen as a regulatory win for crypto companies, providing long-awaited regulatory clarity [6] - Ripple's inclusion could strengthen its institutional footprint over time, particularly for its dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, which is now under federal and state supervision [7][9] - Traditional banking groups expressed concerns, warning about unresolved questions regarding regulatory consistency and oversight [9]