Ripple has announced its pursuit of a national bank charter in the US to streamline payment processes and provide legitimacy in a regulatory gray area.
In addition to the bank charter, Ripple is seeking access to a Federal Reserve Master account to manage stablecoin reserves directly with the central bank.
The move comes as Ripple nears a potential resolution in its legal battle with the SEC, hinting at a possible end to a years-long dispute.
Interest in Ripple's associated cryptocurrency, XRP, remains high as major asset managers consider ETFs containing XRP, while Circle also pursues a national trust bank in the US.