Ripple Secures Banking License, Valuation Reaches $120B

Edgen Crypto

·Mar 16 2026, 22:03

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Key Takeaways

Ripple's valuation has reached an estimated $120 billion after the company secured a banking license, leveraging its 40 billion XRP holdings to position itself among major financial institutions. This strategic milestone is bolstered by a $750 million share buyback and growing adoption of the XRP Ledger for asset tokenization, signaling strong corporate health and ecosystem utility.

Ripple secures a banking license, elevating its estimated valuation to $120 billion based on a $3 per token price for its 40 billion XRP holdings.
A $750 million share buyback targeting a $50 billion company valuation underscores its financial strength and provides liquidity to early investors.
The XRP Ledger's utility is expanding, now supporting over 15% of all tokenized commodities worldwide.

Ripple Valuation Hits $120B After Securing Banking License

Ripple has secured a banking license, a move that immediately elevates its estimated valuation to $120 billion and places it among large global financial institutions by balance sheet value. The valuation is based on the company's reported holdings of 40 billion XRP tokens, calculated at an assumed price of $3 per token. This development on March 16, 2026, confirms earlier speculation and marks a significant step in bridging digital assets with traditional finance, allowing Ripple to potentially expand its financial services beyond its core cross-border payment infrastructure.

Path to a $240B Valuation Hinges on XRP Price

The new $120 billion valuation establishes a concrete financial base, but the path to becoming a top global bank depends on XRP's market performance. According to analysis from Teucrium CEO Sal Gilbertie, if XRP's price rises to $6, Ripple’s valuation based on its holdings would double to $240 billion. At that level, the company would rank among the top 10 most capitalized banks in the world. This forecast highlights how directly Ripple's institutional stature is tied to the market value of its native digital asset.

$750M Buyback and Ecosystem Growth Signal Financial Strength

Underpinning its strategic ambitions, Ripple initiated a $750 million share buyback program set to run until April 2026. The move, which targets a $50 billion company valuation, is designed to provide liquidity for early investors and employees without pursuing a public offering. This action follows a $500 million fundraising round in November 2025 and demonstrates confidence in the company's financial health. Further evidence of fundamental strength comes from the XRP Ledger's expanding role in asset tokenization, with reports indicating the network now supports over 15% of tokenized commodities globally, ranking it second worldwide for such activity.