A recent discussion surrounding Ripple’s XRP holdings has gained momentum, particularly after Teucrium CEO Sal Gilbertie highlighted a potential scenario where Ripple could emerge as one of the largest banks globally.
In a recent podcast appearance with Paul Barron, Gilbertie discussed Ripple’s estimated 40 billion XRP held in escrow and how this figure could profoundly affect the company’s stature within the financial sector. According to Gilbertie, if the current valuation of XRP remains around $9, Ripple’s position could rival that of major financial institutions. He stated that if XRP reaches a price point beyond $25, the balance sheet of Ripple could exceed $240 billion, placing it among the world’s largest financial firms.
Gilbertie pondered Ripple’s future, questioning the company’s long-term strategy concerning its XRP reserves. He proposed that if Ripple were to secure a banking license and maintain its XRP holdings on its balance sheet, it could potentially rank among the top 20 capitalized banks worldwide with XRP priced at just $3. He noted that higher valuations of XRP could elevate Ripple even further on the banking hierarchy, possibly placing it within the top 10.
Ripple’s pursuit of a banking license has moved from theoretical discussions to tangible actions. In 2025, the company applied for a national trust bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and sought a Federal Reserve master account, aiming to place core operations under federal oversight and broaden its institutional financial services. In December, regulators granted conditional approval for Ripple National Trust Bank, marking a crucial step toward becoming a federally supervised trust bank. Gilbertie emphasized that if Ripple’s license is approved, the tokens held in escrow could be pivotal.
As these discussions unfolded, the XRP community saw an uptick in debate among supporters and market participants. Some community members expressed concern about the implications of Ripple’s large XRP position. One individual argued that if the 40 billion XRP were valued at $25, it would result in a $1 trillion market cap, positioning Ripple among the world’s top financial institutions. However, this person viewed the scenario as a potential disadvantage, contending that Ripple might be using XRP holders to construct a monopoly and bolster its balance sheet.
On the other hand, notable voices in the community viewed the situation more favorably. One commentator pointed out that a significant portion of Ripple’s XRP has already been earmarked for institutional and banking liquidity initiatives, suggesting that developments within the company could accelerate in the coming months. Meanwhile, respected attorney Bill Morgan raised questions about the accuracy of the 40-billion-figure, stating the company currently holds around 35 billion tokens, adding further complexity to the ongoing discussions surrounding Ripple and XRP.
