Paul Atkins: SEC must balance crypto innovation with enforcement

PANews reported on June 26 that according to CoinDesk , Swiss crypto custody technology company Taurus has launched a stablecoin privacy layer based on zero-knowledge proof ( ZKP ), which

Ripple has filed an application for a national banking license with the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The move indicates Ripple’s intention to bring its dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, under federal supervision and expand its crypto-related financial services in the United States. Ripple Seeks OCC Charter in Bid to Become a Federally Regulated Stablecoin Issuer The filing was made on Wednesday and, if approved, would place Ripple under dual regulatory oversight, both at the state level through the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) and now federally through the OCC. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed the application in a post on X, calling it a continuation of the company’s “long-standing compliance roots.” “If approved, we would have both state (via NYDFS) and federal oversight,” Garlinghouse wrote. “A new (and unique!) benchmark for trust in the stablecoin market.” True to our long-standing compliance roots, @Ripple is applying for a national bank charter from the OCC. If approved, we would have both state (via NYDFS) and federal oversight, a new (and unique!) benchmark for trust in the stablecoin market. Earlier in the week via… https://t.co/IdiR7x3eWZ — Brad Garlinghouse (@bgarlinghouse) July 2, 2025 The national charter would give Ripple the ability to streamline settlements by removing the need for intermediary banks. It would also allow the firm to offer additional crypto-related financial services under a regulatory structure long associated with traditional banks. Ripple is also seeking a Federal Reserve master account. That account would give the firm direct access to the Fed’s payment rails and allow it to hold stablecoin reserves at the central bank. RLUSD, Ripple’s dollar-backed stablecoin, was launched in December 2024 and currently has a market capitalization of around $470 million, according to CoinMarketCap. Though far smaller than market leaders Tether and Circle’s USDC, RLUSD is among the larger stablecoins in circulation. The timing of Ripple’s application comes just days after Circle Internet Group, the issuer of USDC, filed for its own national banking license . Circle is looking to launch a federally regulated entity named First National Digital Currency Bank, which would allow it to offer digital asset custody and other services. That application followed Circle’s public listing earlier this year , which valued the firm at nearly $18 billion. The rush comes as lawmakers in Washington are advancing a legal framework for stablecoins. Earlier this month, the Senate passed the GENIUS Act , which would require issuers to maintain full dollar reserves and publish monthly disclosures. The bill is awaiting a vote in the House, with support from President Trump. 📝 The U.S. Senate has passed the GENIUS Act in a 68–30 vote, marking the first major digital asset legislation and drawing praise from industry leaders. #regulation #stablecoins https://t.co/OSjotzTnUa — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) June 18, 2025 A report from Grayscale noted that the bill could give stablecoins a clearer path to mainstream acceptance. “The GENIUS Act will likely support stablecoin adoption in the U.S. while incorporating sensible safeguards for consumer protection and financial stability,” Grayscale’s research team wrote. For Ripple, gaining OCC approval would mark a major shift in how stablecoins are supervised in the U.S., potentially making RLUSD one of the most regulated stablecoins on the market. While the outcome of the application is still pending, Ripple’s pursuit of a national charter reflects a growing trend among crypto firms seeking legitimacy and longevity within the U.S. financial system. Ripple’s Legal Setback Clouds Stablecoin Ambitions as Tech Upgrades Forge Ahead As Ripple seeks a U.S. banking license and works to expand its RLUSD stablecoin, the company faces renewed regulatory friction that could complicate its path forward. On June 26, Judge Analisa Torres rejected a proposed $50 million settlement between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which would have dissolved the standing injunction on institutional XRP sales. ⚖️ Judge Torres rejects Ripple's $50 million SEC settlement, maintaining permanent injunction blocking $XRP institutional sales despite both parties agreeing to penalty reduction. #Ripple #SEC #XRP https://t.co/KChkLc5Mdw — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) June 26, 2025 Despite both sides agreeing to reduce the original $125 million penalty by 60%, the court found no “exceptional circumstances” to justify altering a final judgment. The decision leaves Ripple restricted from offering XRP to institutional clients, though retail trading remains unaffected. The legal standoff stems from the SEC’s 2020 lawsuit, which alleged Ripple raised $1.3 billion through unregistered XRP sales. Following the ruling, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced the company would drop its cross-appeal, adding that the SEC is also expected to withdraw its appeal. 📈 XRP rallied on Friday after Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced the company is dropping its cross-appeal against the SEC. #XRP #SEC https://t.co/fXl2YbYWrt — Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) June 28, 2025 With litigation winding down, Ripple is turning its attention back to development. RippleX, the company’s tech arm, recently released XRP Ledger v2.5.0 , introducing upgrades designed for institutional use, including support for escrowed stablecoins (XLS-85) and complex transaction bundling (XLS-56). Daily active addresses on the network have surged from 35,000 to over 295,000 . Meanwhile, Ripple integrated Wormhole to connect its ecosystem with more than 35 blockchains, enhancing interoperability ahead of RLUSD’s debut.

PANews reported on July 3 that according to Onchain Lens monitoring, a whale deposited $8.768 million USDC into HyperLiquid and purchased 215,850 HYPE at $40.13, with a total cost of