Bank of America and XRP have been linked in crypto headlines for years — and for good reason. The U.S.'s second-largest bank has filed dozens of blockchain patents, joined Ripple's global paymentsBank of America and XRP have been linked in crypto headlines for years — and for good reason. The U.S.'s second-largest bank has filed dozens of blockchain patents, joined Ripple's global payments
Bank of America XRP: The Ripple Connection Explained
Bank of America and XRP have been linked in crypto headlines for years — and for good reason.
The U.S.'s second-largest bank has filed dozens of blockchain patents, joined Ripple's global payments network, and most recently disclosed XRP-related exposure through a regulated ETF.
This article breaks down exactly what that relationship looks like, what' s been officially confirmed, and why it matters for anyone interested in XRP.
- First, understand what XRP is and how Ripple's technology works in our complete guide.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America has been a listed member of RippleNet, Ripple's global payments network, since at least 2016.
- In 2017, Bank of America filed a patent for a real-time settlement system referencing a distributed ledger — though it did not directly name Ripple Labs or XRP as the technology provider.
- A U.S. SEC filing dated February 3, 2026 confirms Bank of America holds approximately 13,000 shares of the Volatility Shares XRP ETF, giving the bank indirect exposure to XRP.
- The widely circulated claim that Bank of America uses XRP for 100% of its internal transactions has not been officially confirmed by the bank.
- XRP settles transactions in 3 to 5 seconds at fractions of a cent, making it one of the fastest and most cost-efficient options for cross-border payments.
- Over 300 financial institutions have joined RippleNet globally, though most use Ripple's messaging technology rather than XRP directly.
Bank of America and Ripple XRP: How the Partnership Began
The relationship between Bank of America and Ripple goes back further than most people realize.
According to Ripple's official website, Bank of America is listed as a member of RippleNet, Ripple's global payments network — a body of leading global financial institutions working together to standardize cross-border transactions.
In 2017, Bank of America filed a patent for a real-time interbank settlement system that references a "ripple" distributed ledger. The patent described the mechanism using the phrase "prefunded ripple settlements," though it did not directly name Ripple Labs or XRP as the technology provider.
That patent didn't directly name XRP as the token involved, but it signaled early intent to explore Ripple's infrastructure.
By April 2020, the connection became more public: the Head of Global Banking at Bank of America named Ripple as a key partner during one of the bank's official Treasury Insights podcast episodes, alongside SWIFT.
RippleNet itself was built to support XRP, which according to CoinMarketCap was designed for fast, low-cost, highly scalable transactions — settling in 3 to 5 seconds at a cost of just $0.0002 per transaction.
Bank of America XRP: Confirmed Facts vs. Unverified Claims
Not everything you've read about Bank of America and XRP is verified — and that distinction matters.
The most-shared claim is that Bank of America uses XRP for 100% of its internal transactions.
That statement originated from a FOX Business interview in January 2025, cited by the CEO of Sound Planning Group.
Although it is not clear how Bank of America is using XRP internally, the signs of a deeper partnership between the two are unmistakable — Ripple's official website lists Bank of America as a member of RippleNet, and it's clear the bank has been actively exploring blockchain solutions for years.
Bank of America itself has never officially confirmed the internal transaction claim.
What is confirmed: as per a U.S. SEC filing dated February 3, 2026, Bank of America holds around 13,000 shares of the Volatility Shares XRP ETF, with a total value of approximately $224,640.
Around the same time, reports indicated that Bank of America had begun allowing its wealth advisors to recommend crypto ETFs to clients — a notable shift in the bank's approach to digital assets.
Ripple President Monica Long has also publicly stated that executives at major banks, including Bank of America, have expressed strong interest in XRP for cross-border payment infrastructure — though this reflects her account of those conversations, not a direct statement from Bank of America.
The bottom line is this: the ETF disclosure and RippleNet membership are documented facts; the internal transaction story remains unverified.
Why Bank of America and XRP Matter for Institutional Crypto Adoption
The reason people pay such close attention to the Bank of America–Ripple relationship comes down to what Bank of America represents.
It is the second-largest bank in the United States, and its moves carry institutional weight that smaller players simply don't.
Ripple's payments network, RippleNet, has now reached a milestone of over 300 banks and financial institutions as partners across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
However, most RippleNet partners use the network's messaging technology without directly using XRP for transactions — meaning banks can join the network without touching the cryptocurrency.
This is a critical nuance for XRP holders: being on RippleNet does not automatically drive XRP demand.
What drives XRP demand is On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) — Ripple's product that uses XRP as a bridge currency to settle cross-border payments in real time, without the need for pre-funded accounts at each destination.
For context, traditional cross-border wire transfers can take 2 to 5 business days through legacy systems.
If Bank of America were to fully adopt XRP for liquidity via ODL, the volume would be enormous — which is exactly why every development in the Bank of America–Ripple relationship attracts this level of attention.
The SEC has approved a wave of spot XRP ETFs, with major issuers including Bitwise, Grayscale, 21Shares, Canary Capital, and Franklin Templeton offering these products to investors.
That regulatory milestone, combined with Bank of America's ETF disclosure, reflects a broader pattern: institutional interest in XRP is moving from exploratory to incremental.
How to Buy XRP on MEXC
If the Bank of America–Ripple story has you thinking about how to get exposure to XRP, here's how to get started on MEXC:
- Create an account — Visit MEXC and complete the registration process.
- Verify your identity — Complete KYC verification to unlock full trading features.
- Deposit funds — Add USDT or another supported asset to your wallet.
- Search for XRP — Navigate to the spot trading page and search for the XRP/USDT pair.
- Place your order — Enter the amount you want to buy and confirm the transaction.
- Store securely — Consider moving your XRP to a personal non-custodial wallet for long-term holding.
FAQ
Is Bank of America partnered with Ripple?
Yes — Bank of America is an official member of RippleNet and sits on Ripple's Governance Committee, as listed on Ripple's official website.
Does Bank of America use XRP?
The claim that Bank of America uses XRP for 100% of internal transactions has not been officially confirmed by the bank itself.
Does Bank of America own XRP?
Bank of America holds indirect XRP exposure through a February 2026 SEC filing that discloses ownership of approximately 13,000 shares of the Volatility Shares XRP ETF.
What is the connection between Bank of America and Ripple?
Bank of America has been involved with Ripple since at least 2016, has filed multiple blockchain patents that reference distributed ledger technology, and is listed as a RippleNet member on Ripple's official website.
Is Bank of America buying XRP ETF?
According to a Form 13F-HR filing submitted to the SEC on February 3, 2026, Bank of America disclosed holdings in an XRP-linked ETF — the Volatility Shares XRP ETF.
Conclusion
The Bank of America and XRP story is still unfolding — and that's exactly what makes it worth watching.
What's clear is that Bank of America's involvement with Ripple, from RippleNet membership to blockchain patents to a verified XRP ETF position, reflects a financial giant taking careful but deliberate steps toward digital asset infrastructure.
XRP currently ranks #4 by market capitalization according to CoinMarketCap, and institutional signals like these are part of what keeps it among the most closely watched assets in crypto.
Whether you're tracking the story or ready to act on it, MEXC offers a straightforward way to access XRP in a regulated trading environment.
- For the full picture of XRP's technology and banking adoption, read our comprehensive XRP guide.
- See the complete list of all financial institutions using XRP and Ripple.
- See all financial institutions using XRP in our complete bank list guide.
Market Opportunity
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