Is Ripple quietly building a banking empire? An analyst points to a critical date: Feb 26, 2026.

Ripple is acquiring key firms like Metaco & Hidden Road to offer custody, payments, & prime brokerage—mirroring traditional banks.

Its regulatory path includes OCC trust bank approvals. A $1.8T T. Rowe Price ETF listing XRP awaits SEC decision by Feb 26, 2026.

If approved, XRP would join a regulated product by a major firm. Will Feb 26, 2026, redefine XRP's place in finance?