Ripple, Coinbase, Wise and Sony Bank Seek Bank Charters to Offer Crypto Directly
Ripple, Coinbase, Wise and Sony Bank are moving to obtain bank charters that would let them provide crypto services directly to customers, according to reports citing policy changes by President Trump that cleared the path for new financial firm structures. Walmart has also signaled plans to enter banking alongside crypto and fintech players, underscoring a broader push by mainstream companies into financial services. This shift matters because bank charters can simplify compliance, expand custody and payment offerings, and lower friction for retail and institutional crypto access. For tokens such as XRP, Ripple’s bank-charter strategy could strengthen on-ramps and regulatory legitimacy, while increased competition may drive down fees and spur innovation. Timing and regulatory review remain uncertain, but the move marks a notable step toward embedding crypto into traditional finance.