The world of digital assets continues to evolve rapidly, with XRP and its parent company Ripple at the forefront of innovation, regulatory engagement, and financial integration. As of 2025, Ripple is making bold moves to bridge traditional finance with blockchain technology through strategic partnerships, regulatory applications, and new product rollouts. This article dives deep into the latest news, market dynamics, and forward-looking initiatives shaping the future of XRP and the broader Ripple ecosystem.
Ripple's Push for U.S. Banking License and Federal Access
One of the most significant developments in early 2025 is Ripple’s application for a national bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This move signals Ripple’s ambition to operate as a regulated financial institution, offering enhanced credibility and compliance within the U.S. financial system.
By securing a national bank license, Ripple aims to gain dual state and federal oversight for its newly launched U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin, RLUSD. The stablecoin is backed by U.S. Treasury holdings and regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), reinforcing its legitimacy and transparency.
Notably, Ripple has also pursued a Federal Reserve master account through its subsidiary, Standard Custody — a trust company it acquired in 2023. Industry experts suggest that gaining direct access to the Fed's payment infrastructure is even more impactful than obtaining a bank license.
“A master account is diamond-tier access; a bank charter is platinum,” said crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett. “It allows direct settlement within the U.S. banking backbone, reducing counterparty risk and increasing efficiency.”
This layered regulatory strategy positions Ripple not just as a crypto firm but as a full-fledged financial infrastructure provider.
RLUSD Gains Momentum with Institutional Adoption
Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, has seen rapid adoption across institutional channels. In a landmark development, AMINA Bank, a FINMA-regulated Swiss crypto bank, announced full support for RLUSD, including custody and trading services for institutional clients.
With operations in Switzerland, Hong Kong, and Abu Dhabi, AMINA Bank emphasizes its mission to connect traditional banking with decentralized financial systems. Their support adds global legitimacy to RLUSD, which has now reached a market cap of nearly $470 million — a record high.
Additionally, Ripple partnered with Openpayd, a leading financial infrastructure platform, to enable seamless minting, redemption, and fiat on/off ramps for RLUSD. This integration allows businesses and payment providers to leverage RLUSD for cross-border transactions with faster settlement and lower costs.
These moves underscore Ripple’s vision: to make programmable money a reality through stablecoins anchored in real-world assets and compliant frameworks.
Regulatory Landscape: SEC Pauses Grayscale ETF Conversion
While Ripple advances its own regulatory path, broader market sentiment remains sensitive to U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) actions. Recently, the SEC paused Grayscale’s plan to convert its Digital Large Cap Fund (GDLC) into a spot ETF.
Although initially approved under accelerated review, the SEC issued a stay on implementation pending further evaluation. The fund includes major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and XRP, making it one of the most diverse crypto ETF proposals to date.
Analysts interpret this pause not as rejection but as part of a broader effort by the SEC to establish a coherent framework for multi-asset crypto ETFs. Some believe this could pave the way for future approvals of single-asset ETFs — including potential XRP spot ETFs — once standards are clarified.
Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, remains optimistic about regulatory progress, especially amid shifting political winds favoring innovation in financial technology.
Ripple CEO Clarifies Stock vs. XRP Confusion
Amid growing interest in private equity markets, Ripple addressed concerns regarding Linqto, an investment platform that offered fractional shares in pre-IPO companies like Ripple.
Garlinghouse confirmed that Linqto holds approximately 4.7 million shares of Ripple stock — all acquired from secondary market sellers — and stressed that Linqto has no formal relationship with Ripple beyond being a shareholder.
“XRP tokens are entirely separate from Ripple equity,” Garlinghouse emphasized on social media. “Investors should understand that owning Linqto units does not equate to holding company stock or receiving dividends directly from Ripple.”
He added that due to increasing scrutiny and questionable practices by Linqto, Ripple halted further approvals for secondary share purchases through the platform at the end of 2024.
This clarification helps protect retail investors from confusion between speculative token trading and equity ownership — a critical distinction in the evolving digital asset landscape.
Upcoming Congressional Hearing: Ripple CEO to Testify
In another sign of Ripple’s growing influence in policy circles, Brad Garlinghouse is scheduled to testify at an upcoming House Committee hearing on crypto market structure. Hosted by the Republican-led Banking Committee, the session will explore how digital assets can be integrated safely into the U.S. financial system.
Other confirmed participants include:
- Kristin Smith (CEO, Blockchain Association)
- Jonathan Levin (CEO, Chainalysis)
- Dan Robinson (General Partner, Paradigm)
The hearing is expected to focus on:
- Investor protection
- Market transparency
- Regulatory clarity
- The role of blockchain in cross-border payments
Ripple’s inclusion highlights its status as a key player in shaping pro-innovation policy — especially given its ongoing work with central banks and financial institutions worldwide via its RippleNet payment network.
Market Metrics: XRP Performance in 2025
As of mid-2025, XRP maintains a strong position among top digital assets:
- Price: ~$2.23 USD
- Market Cap: Over $94 billion
- Rank: #4 by circulating market value
- Circulating Supply: 59 billion XRP (59% of max supply)
- 24-Hour Trading Volume: ~$16.7 billion
Despite short-term volatility — with recent 24-hour lows near $15.95 CNY ($2.22) and highs at $16.55 CNY ($2.30) — long-term indicators remain positive. XRP’s turnover rate stands at 1.77%, reflecting healthy liquidity and active trading across global exchanges.
Investors continue to show confidence, with XRP delivering over 378x return since inception — outperforming many legacy assets over the past decade.
FAQ: Your Questions About XRP and Ripple Answered
Q: Is XRP a security?
A: While the SEC previously claimed XRP was an unregistered security, a 2023 court ruling determined that XRP sales to retail investors via exchanges were not securities. Institutional sales are still under legal review. This partial win strengthened XRP’s standing in mainstream finance.
Q: What is RLUSD and how is it different from USDT or USDC?
A: RLUSD is Ripple’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, fully reserved in short-term U.S. Treasuries and regulated at the state level by NYDFS. Unlike some other stablecoins, RLUSD is designed specifically for enterprise use cases within RippleNet and cross-border settlements.
Q: Can I buy XRP through a traditional broker?
A: Yes. While no dedicated XRP spot ETF exists yet in the U.S., several brokers offer indirect exposure via Grayscale’s GDLC fund or foreign exchanges. Direct purchases are available on major platforms like OKX, Binance, and Coinbase.
Q: Does Ripple control all XRP?
A: No. While Ripple holds a portion of XRP in escrow for operational use, over 59 billion XRP are already in circulation. The total maximum supply is capped at 100 billion.
Q: Will there be an XRP ETF soon?
A: There is no approved XRP spot ETF yet, but growing institutional interest and regulatory momentum suggest it's possible in the medium term — especially if the SEC finalizes clearer rules for crypto listings.
Q: How does XRP compare to Solana or Cardano?
A: XRP focuses primarily on fast, low-cost cross-border payments (3-5 seconds per transaction), whereas Solana emphasizes smart contract scalability and Cardano prioritizes academic research-driven development. Each serves different segments of the crypto economy.
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The momentum behind XRP, Ripple, and its ecosystem reflects a maturing digital asset industry where technology meets regulation. From pursuing banking licenses to launching compliant stablecoins and influencing policy debates, Ripple continues to lead with purpose.
Whether you're an investor tracking price movements or a developer exploring real-world use cases, 2025 marks a pivotal year for understanding how blockchain can coexist with — and enhance — traditional finance.
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Core Keywords: XRP, Ripple, RLUSD, SEC, stablecoin, cryptocurrency news 2025, Grayscale ETF, cross-border payments