Ripple Moves to Launch “National Trust Bank” — Eyes Disruption of SWIFT Infrastructure

Market Context

SWIFT has long operated as the backbone of international interbank messaging and settlement. However, blockchain and crypto firms—especially Ripple—have positioned themselves as alternatives promising faster, cheaper, and more transparent cross-border transfers. By creating a trust bank, Ripple aims to bridge traditional finance and crypto rails more directly.

Technical Details with Attribution

• According to documents signed on June 30, 2025 by Ripple executives, Ripple has completed its application for a national trust bank charter. The 120-day review period is expected to conclude in October 2025. 
• This proposed institution will focus on payments, custody of digital assets, liquidity provisioning, and integrating XRP as a core settlement and bridging asset. 
• Ripple’s application is submitted to the OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency) as a limited-purpose national trust bank, under a structure that avoids deposits and lending as primary functions. 
• The move is widely interpreted as an attempt to supplant or undercut the SWIFT network by offering an alternative infrastructure for cross-border payments. 

Analyst Perspectives 

Some analysts see this as a bold but logical next step: by internalizing banking functions, Ripple could reduce reliance on third-party intermediaries and give XRP a stronger institutional utility. However, obtaining regulatory approval is nontrivial; stakeholders caution that the OCC must carefully assess risks, especially given the novel intersection of crypto and banking. Others warn that any delay or regulatory pushback could stall Ripple’s ambitions.

Global Impact Note

If Ripple succeeds, it could recalibrate the future of international payments. Banks and financial platforms globally may be pressured to adopt or integrate with more blockchain-native rails. XRP’s role could shift from a speculative token to a deeply embedded settlement asset. On the flip side, regulators around the world will watch closely: if a crypto company gains a bank charter and disrupts SWIFT, other jurisdictions may respond with new guardrails or restrictions.