The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) officially issued final approval for Ripple National Trust Bank (RNTB) on Monday, October 27, 2026. This decision completes the federal charter process that began with conditional approval from the OCC in December 2025.
For Ripple, this approval marks a major regulatory milestone after years of legal conflicts with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The WatcherGuru account on X also confirmed the news: “Ripple officially receives full US regulatory approval to operate as a national trust bank.” However, this federal bank status entails functions distinct from a conventional commercial bank.
New Authority for RLUSD Reserves
Under the federal charter, RNTB holds the authority to manage the reserve assets backing the Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin, act as a collateral trustee for token holders, and provide digital asset custody services.
The issuance of the token itself remains with a separate entity. RLUSD continues to be issued by Standard Custody & Trust Company, Ripple’s limited-purpose trust company regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). This structure separates the state-level issuing entity from reserve management at the federal level.
As a national trust bank, RNTB operates without retail banking services. This federal institution focuses on safeguarding and managing client assets, without accepting public deposits, extending loans, or carrying insurance from the US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Following Circle on the Federal Oversight Track
Ripple Chief Executive Officer Brad Garlinghouse welcomed the announcement via his personal account on X: “We have always said crypto and banking work better together - this is what it looks like. Real innovation, real accountability, federal oversight.”
The OCC’s move places Ripple right behind Circle, which secured similar final approval in July 2026. Several other crypto companies remain at the conditional approval stage: Coinbase received conditional approval in April 2026, while Crypto.com and Bridge - a Stripe-owned platform - have held that status since February 2026.
Why This Charter Marks a Turning Point
The granting of this charter highlights a shift in Ripple’s standing within the US regulatory landscape. Following years of protracted legal disputes against the SEC regarding its securities status, approval from the federal banking regulator brings fresh operational legitimacy to RLUSD’s reserve infrastructure.
For market participants who watched Ripple’s legal battles against the SEC for years, this OCC approval brings a contrasting closing chapter: a company long targeted by the securities regulator now officially holds a direct oversight mandate from federal banking authorities.
Reported by Cointelegraph.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
