Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse marked the 10th anniversary of the company’s flagship Swell conference in New York City by announcing final approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to open Ripple National Trust Bank.
The announcement was part of a series of updates shared by Garlinghouse on X following the first day of Swell 2026. The event, which launched in October 2017 in Toronto, is now in its tenth edition. Garlinghouse described the opening of the conference as a significant milestone, stating, “We’re kicking off 10 years of RippleSwell with a bang!”
Treasury Secretary Joins Opening Discussion
A video appearance by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent served as a central highlight of the conference’s first day. Bessent joined Garlinghouse for a discussion, an event Garlinghouse described as an honor. The Ripple CEO commended Bessent for his role in shaping the regulatory environment for digital assets in the United States.
“His leadership and the current administration have been key to making sure that responsible crypto has a home in the US,” Garlinghouse said. The Treasury Secretary’s participation underscored the increasing intersection between traditional financial regulation and the digital asset sector during the anniversary celebrations.
Partnership Expansions and Regulatory Milestones
Beyond the keynote discussion, Garlinghouse detailed several strategic announcements made by Ripple during the event. The company is expanding its partnership with Robinhood, integrating Ripple’s financial infrastructure into both customer-facing products and internal systems. This integration aims to streamline the delivery of digital asset services to Robinhood’s user base.
Ripple also announced an expanded partnership with BNY. This collaboration covers institutional digital asset custody and tokenized trade finance solutions, specifically involving RLUSD, XRP, and the XRP Ledger. The move positions Ripple’s infrastructure within the broader ecosystem of traditional banking services provided by BNY.
In addition to these partnerships, Ripple Treasury launched a service called 24/7 Returns. This new offering is part of Ripple’s broader strategy to provide continuous financial services for digital asset holders. The launch coincides with the company’s regulatory advancements in the U.S. market.
The most significant regulatory development cited by Garlinghouse was the final approval from the OCC to establish Ripple National Trust Bank. Once active, this federally regulated institution will be responsible for managing RLUSD reserves and providing institutional digital asset custody. The approval represents a key step in Ripple’s efforts to operate within the traditional banking framework in the United States.
Garlinghouse noted that the initial day of events was merely the beginning of the conference. “And it’s only day 0 (yes, Swell main event is tomorrow!). More to come this week,” he wrote. The main Swell event is scheduled for October 28–29, with attendance expected from influential figures in both traditional finance and the crypto industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ripple National Trust Bank?
Ripple National Trust Bank is a federally regulated institution approved by the OCC to manage RLUSD reserves and handle institutional digital asset custody for Ripple.
When does the main Swell 2026 event take place?
The main Swell 2026 event is scheduled for October 28–29 in New York City, following the initial anniversary celebrations.
