Ripple’s annual Swell conference began its 10th edition in New York City, with CEO Brad Garlinghouse unveiling a series of new partnerships and regulatory milestones for the company. The event has become a major gathering for leading figures in finance, policymakers, blockchain developers, and the $XRP community since its inception in 2017.
Keynote appearance from Treasury Secretary
A video message from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was a surprise highlight of the conference’s first day. Bessent joined Garlinghouse in a discussion focused on regulatory developments impacting digital assets in the United States.
Garlinghouse stated that it was an honor to open the event with Secretary Bessent and praised the Treasury’s efforts in shaping US crypto regulation. He emphasized the importance of Bessent’s leadership and the current administration’s proactive approach to ensuring responsible digital assets have a place in the United States.
Bessent’s leadership and the administration’s work have been crucial in ensuring responsible crypto operations continue to have a home in the US, according to Garlinghouse.
The Swell conference, which launched in Toronto in 2017, has grown into a significant platform for industry collaboration, policy discussion, and technological advancement.
Mini dictionary: Scott Bessent, appointed as US Treasury Secretary, is responsible for advising the President on economic policy and overseeing financial regulations, including those affecting digital assets.
Major new partnerships and product launches
Ripple revealed a major expansion of its partnership with Robinhood, the widely known trading platform. The announcement highlighted that Ripple’s financial infrastructure will be integrated directly into Robinhood’s customer-facing products and internal operations. This move signals a significant increase in the accessibility and adoption of Ripple’s solutions for retail and institutional clients.
Garlinghouse also announced an extended collaboration with financial giant BNY, formerly known as Bank of New York Mellon. The expanded relationship will focus on institutional digital asset custody and advancing tokenized trade finance solutions using RLUSD, XRP, and the XRP Ledger.
| Partnership | Scope | Main Assets/Services |
|---|---|---|
| Robinhood | Integration into customer products and internal systems | Ripple’s financial infrastructure |
| BNY | Institutional custody and tokenized trade finance | RLUSD, XRP, XRP Ledger |
Another important development was the introduction of 24/7 Returns by Ripple Treasury, described as a new tool for around-the-clock settlement and fund returns.
Regulatory approval for Ripple’s trust bank
The company’s latest regulatory milestone came with final approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to launch Ripple National Trust Bank. This federally regulated institution will oversee RLUSD reserves and institutional custody of digital assets once operational.
Garlinghouse described the approval as a major regulatory victory for Ripple, further strengthening the company’s position within the US financial system.
Garlinghouse remarked that more announcements are expected this week as Swell’s main events continue on October 28 and 29, with key participants joining from both traditional finance and the crypto sector.
