Major Milestone: Ripple Obtains Money Transmitter Licenses Amid U.S. Crypto Momentum

• Ripple secured over 50 Money Transmitter Licenses in the U.S., including key approvals in Texas and New York.
• Ripple Payments processed $70 billion in volume across 90+ markets, doubling its business last year.
• U.S. regulators are easing crypto restrictions, boosting Ripple’s efforts to expand blockchain-based cross-border payments.

The start of a new year often symbolizes fresh momentum, and Ripple has wasted no time in pushing its cross-border payment solutions to new heights. With a crypto-friendly administration now in office, optimism is high across the industry, and financial institutions are gearing up to embrace blockchain as a tool to diversify portfolios and streamline operations.

Cross-border payments powered by crypto have emerged as one of the most promising applications of blockchain tech. In fact, more than 90% of global finance leaders believe digital assets and blockchain will have a significant impact on the financial sector in the next three years—a sentiment Ripple is actively capitalizing on.

Ripple Secures Key Licenses in Major US Markets

Ripple recently obtained critical Money Transmitter Licenses (MTLs) in Texas and New York, two states with stringent regulations and high demand for real-time, global payments. These licenses bring Ripple’s U.S. total to over 50 MTLs, granting it the ability to offer a seamless, compliant-first payment experience across the country.

Globally, Ripple has amassed more than 60 licenses, including:

• A NY BitLicense
• A Limited Purpose Trust Company Charter in New York
• A Major Payment Institution License from Singapore’s MAS
• Virtual Asset Service Provider registrations in Ireland and the Cayman Islands

These licenses enable Ripple to offer end-to-end payment solutions while ensuring compliance with local regulations—an approach that has made the company a trusted partner for banks and crypto businesses alike.

Expanding Reach and Rapid Growth

Ripple Payments has processed $70 billion in transaction volume, spanning over 90 markets that cover more than 90% of daily FX markets. In 2024 alone, Ripple’s payments business doubled, with new North American clients like Bancoli, GeoSwift, and Cloud Payments joining the network.

Joanie Xie, Ripple’s Managing Director for North America, highlighted the growing demand for blockchain-driven solutions:
“We’re seeing tremendous interest from financial institutions and crypto businesses looking to unlock the benefits of blockchain—speed, cost-efficiency, and 24/7 cross-border payments. Ripple is uniquely positioned to support these companies.”

Stablecoins have also gained traction, with Ripple USD (RLUSD), an enterprise-grade USD-denominated stablecoin, set to be integrated into Ripple Payments later this year.

Shifting US Regulatory Environment

The regulatory climate for digital assets is evolving quickly in the U.S. Just last week, the SEC repealed SAB 121, a rule that would have imposed heavy restrictions on banks offering crypto custody services. This decision, which followed bipartisan pressure from Congress, has given a boost to institutions exploring digital asset strategies.

Lawmakers are beginning to see the value of blockchain innovation, and public-private collaboration is gaining momentum. Technologies like tokenization, which enable real-world asset (RWA) liquidity and accessibility, are expected to revolutionize how financial instruments like stocks, bonds, and ETFs are managed.

Ripple’s Domestic Growth Signals Optimism

Ripple isn’t just expanding globally; it’s doubling down on its U.S. presence. Around 75% of the company’s open positions are based domestically, and hiring in the U.S. has doubled compared to 2023. New offices in San Francisco and New York further illustrate Ripple’s strong business momentum in the American market.

As blockchain continues to reshape the financial industry, Ripple is positioning itself as a leader in this evolving space. With public sentiment, political support, and real-world applications all aligning, the next few years could prove transformative for the crypto ecosystem.