Ripple has opened its U.S. banking license application for public review, marking a significant step in its transition to a regulated financial institution. The application, filed with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), outlines Ripple's plan to operate as a trust bank under a national banking charter. The document, titled 'Public Volume 1 of 2,' names Brian Spahn, Ripple Labs' Senior Director of Regulatory Compliance, as the contact point, with legal representation from Paul Hastings LLP. This development underscores Ripple's ambition to integrate blockchain technology into traditional finance, moving beyond its roots as a cryptocurrency enterprise. The public review of the application is a critical phase in Ripple's journey to becoming a licensed financial entity in the U.S.