A new discussion around Ripple’s XRP holdings has gained traction after Teucrium CEO Sal Gilbertie outlined a scenario in which the company could become one of the world’s largest banks.
Crypto enthusiast Shelly Carter (@oMonica7) shared a clip from Gilbertie’s appearance on Paul Barron’s podcast, where the CEO discussed Ripple’s estimated 40 billion XRP in escrow, as those tokens could significantly impact the company’s position in the financial sector.
🚨 BREAKING: holding an estimated 40B XRP on its balance sheet at roughly $9 per #XRP — positioning the company among the world's largest financial institutions.
If XRP moves beyond $25, Ripple's balance sheet alone could surpass $240B. pic.twitter.com/lCpCu3JS3r
— SHELLY CARTER (@oMonica7) June 1, 2026
Can Ripple Become One of the Largest Banks?
During the interview, Gilbertie raised a question about Ripple’s long-term plans for its XRP reserves. Gilbertie suggested a potential outcome if Ripple obtains a banking license and continues holding its XRP on its balance sheet. “They become a top 20 capitalized bank in the world,” he said, noting that such a position could be achieved with XRP priced around $3.
He added that higher XRP valuations could push Ripple even further up the rankings. According to Gilbertie, if XRP rises to a multiple of that level, Ripple could become a top 10 bank.
Ripple’s Path Toward a Banking License
Ripple’s banking ambitions moved beyond speculation in 2025 when the company applied for a national trust bank charter with the OCC and pursued a Federal Reserve master account. The strategy would place key operations under federal oversight while expanding Ripple’s institutional financial services.
In December, regulators granted conditional approval for Ripple National Trust Bank, bringing the company a significant step closer to operating as a federally supervised trust bank. If Ripple’s license is approved, Gilbertie believes its escrow holdings would be the game-changer.
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XRP Army Debates Escrow Holdings
The comments prompted extensive discussion among XRP supporters and market participants. Several community members focused on the scale of Ripple’s XRP position. One participant argued that 40 billion XRP valued at $25 would create a $1 trillion market capitalization and place Ripple among the world’s largest institutions.
However, he sees this as a disadvantage, suggesting Ripple is using XRP holders to build a monopoly and fund its balance sheet. Bill Morgan, a well-respected attorney in the crypto space, questioned the 40 billion figure, as the company currently holds around 35 billion tokens.
Others were more favourable, concentrating on Ripple’s role within the financial system. One commenter stated that a significant portion of Ripple’s XRP has already been allocated for institutional and banking liquidity initiatives, adding that developments could accelerate over the coming months.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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