XRP and Ripple: Latest Developments in 2025

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Ripple and its native cryptocurrency, XRP, continue to make headlines in 2025 as the company pushes deeper into mainstream finance through strategic partnerships, regulatory advancements, and new product launches. From applying for a national bank charter to expanding the utility of its newly launched stablecoin RLUSD, Ripple is positioning itself at the intersection of traditional banking and blockchain innovation.

This article explores the most recent and impactful developments surrounding XRP and Ripple, including regulatory moves, institutional adoption, market reactions, and what these changes mean for investors and the broader crypto ecosystem.

Ripple’s Push for U.S. National Bank License

One of the most significant moves in early 2025 was Ripple's formal application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a national bank charter. If approved, this would allow Ripple to operate as a federally regulated bank, enabling it to offer a wider range of financial services and directly manage its stablecoin reserves.

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The application follows in the footsteps of Circle, which also sought similar status to independently oversee USDC reserves. Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, emphasized that this step aims to set a new benchmark for trust and compliance in the stablecoin market.

Crucially, Ripple isn’t stopping at just the bank license. Through its subsidiary Standard Custody—a trust company acquired in 2023—it has also applied for a Federal Reserve master account. According to industry experts, securing a master account grants even greater access to the U.S. financial system than a bank charter alone, offering direct settlement capabilities with other financial institutions.

A recent analysis by crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett highlighted the hierarchy of financial access:

With these applications, Ripple is clearly aiming for the highest level of integration with traditional finance.

RLUSD Stablecoin Gains Momentum

Launched earlier in 2025, Ripple’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin RLUSD has quickly gained traction. Backed by U.S. Treasuries and regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS), RLUSD is designed to support fast, low-cost cross-border payments—a core use case for RippleNet.

Swiss-based AMINA Bank, a FINMA-regulated crypto-friendly financial institution, has become the first global bank to support RLUSD, offering custody and trading services to institutional clients. The move marks a major milestone in bridging traditional banking infrastructure with blockchain-based assets.

At the time of writing, RLUSD’s market cap has surged past $470 million, according to Coingecko, reflecting growing confidence in its regulatory compliance and utility.

Additionally, Ripple announced a partnership with Openpayd, a leading financial infrastructure provider, to enable RLUSD minting and redemption alongside fiat on-ramps and off-ramps. This integration enhances liquidity and accessibility for businesses using Ripple’s payment solutions.

Ripple CEO Clarifies Stock vs. XRP Confusion

In response to growing confusion among retail investors, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse took to social media to clarify that XRP tokens are entirely separate from Ripple’s private stock.

This came after news that investment platform Linqto had acquired approximately 4.7 million shares of Ripple through secondary market purchases. Some investors mistakenly believed that Linqto’s offerings represented XRP or were officially endorsed by Ripple.

Garlinghouse confirmed that while Linqto holds legitimate shares purchased from existing shareholders, Ripple has no business relationship with the company. He added that due to increasing scrutiny and operational concerns around Linqto, Ripple stopped approving further share purchases through the platform by the end of 2024.

“XRP and Ripple stock are fundamentally different assets. One is a digital asset used for payments; the other is equity in a private company.”

This distinction remains critical for investors navigating the crypto landscape.

Upcoming Congressional Hearing on Crypto Market Structure

Ripple continues to play a central role in shaping U.S. crypto policy. CEO Brad Garlinghouse is scheduled to testify at an upcoming House Financial Services Committee hearing on crypto market structure.

He will join other industry leaders, including:

The hearing aims to address regulatory clarity, investor protection, and the future of digital asset markets—topics where Ripple’s ongoing legal battle with the SEC has made it a key player.

Many analysts believe that greater regulatory clarity could pave the way for new financial products, including spot ETFs for XRP and other major altcoins.

Grayscale’s Multi-Asset ETF Halted by SEC

Despite initial optimism, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has paused Grayscale’s plan to convert its Digital Large Cap Fund (GDLC) into a spot ETF. The fund includes exposure to Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and XRP.

Although the SEC’s Trading and Markets Division had preliminarily approved the conversion under an accelerated review process, senior leadership intervened—issuing a stay on the decision pending further evaluation.

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This reversal highlights the SEC’s cautious stance on multi-asset crypto ETFs. However, some experts interpret this not as rejection but as part of a broader effort to establish a consistent regulatory framework that could eventually benefit XRP and other digital assets.

Amber Group’s subsidiary, Amber International, recently raised $25.5 million** in a private funding round from Pantera Capital and CMAG Funds. The capital will support its $100 million crypto reserve strategy, which includes allocations to XRP**, BTC, ETH, SOL, BNB, and SUI.

The investment underscores continued institutional interest in XRP, particularly in sectors like real-world asset (RWA) tokenization and AgentFi—emerging fields where Ripple is actively developing solutions.

Market Performance and Investor Outlook

As of mid-2025, XRP maintains a strong market position:

While price movements remain influenced by macroeconomic factors and regulatory news, long-term holders remain optimistic about XRP’s utility in cross-border payments and financial inclusion.

FAQ: Your Top Questions About XRP and Ripple

Q: Is XRP legal in the U.S.?
A: While the SEC initially sued Ripple in 2020 for allegedly conducting an unregistered securities offering, a landmark 2023 court ruling determined that XRP itself is not a security when sold on public exchanges. This has paved the way for broader institutional adoption.

Q: Can XRP reach $10?
A: Price predictions vary widely. While short-term fluctuations depend on regulation and market sentiment, long-term forecasts consider Ripple’s growing partnerships and real-world use cases as bullish indicators—if adoption accelerates.

Q: What is RLUSD used for?
A: RLUSD is designed to facilitate instant, low-cost international payments across RippleNet. It serves both institutional clients and payment providers looking for faster settlement than traditional banking systems allow.

Q: How does Ripple differ from other blockchain companies?
A: Unlike many decentralized networks, Ripple focuses on compliance and collaboration with financial institutions. Its technology powers faster cross-border transactions without relying on proof-of-work or proof-of-stake mining.

Q: Will there be an XRP ETF?
A: There is no approved XRP spot ETF yet. However, with increasing regulatory clarity and institutional demand—especially following developments around multi-asset funds like GDLC—the possibility is gaining traction.

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Conclusion

2025 has been a pivotal year for Ripple and XRP. With bold steps toward banking integration, expansion of its stablecoin ecosystem, and active participation in shaping U.S. crypto policy, Ripple is no longer just a payments protocol—it's becoming a key player in the future of global finance.

For investors and developers alike, staying informed about these developments is essential. Whether through regulatory milestones, institutional partnerships, or technological innovation, XRP continues to evolve beyond speculation into real-world utility.

As always, conduct thorough research before making investment decisions—and keep an eye on official channels for verified updates.

Core Keywords: XRP, Ripple, RLUSD, SEC, Grayscale ETF, bank license, stablecoin