Ripple CEO Meets US Treasury Secretary at Swell 2026

A Major Gathering in New York City

RippleXRP+2.20% CEO Brad Garlinghouse took the stage alongside U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at Swell 2026 in New York City. The appearance generated significant excitement across the XRP community.

The annual conference brought together over 1,500 participants and 100 speakers across three stages. Held at The Shed in Manhattan from October 27 to October 29, the event highlighted the growing crossover between crypto and traditional finance.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Takes the Stage

Scott Bessent was added to the Swell speaker lineup shortly before the conference began. His presence highlighted the shifting policy climate surrounding digital assets in Washington.

As a key official in the Trump administration, Bessent has been a prominent advocate for clear crypto regulations. He has consistently encouraged Congress to pass the CLARITY Act.

Bessent argues that clear rules are vital for the United States. Without them, the nation risks losing its competitive edge in the global digital asset industry.

A History of Collaboration

This meeting was not the first time Ripple leadership crossed paths with Bessent. Back in September 2025, Ripple executives attended a financial roundtable at Downing Street.

Bessent attended that meeting alongside British Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Those discussions helped establish a joint U.K.-U.S. initiative focused on financial markets and blockchain technologies.

Ripple Secures Key Banking Approvals and Institutional Ties

The conference arrived during a milestone week for Ripple. On October 26, the company secured final approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

This approval allows the company to form the Ripple National Trust Bank. The move represents a major step toward connecting traditional banking networks with blockchain technology.

Following the banking news, Ripple announced expanded partnerships on October 27. The company is deepening its working relationships with BNY (Bank of New York Mellon) and Robinhood.

As part of these institutional arrangements, Robinhood selected Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin for expanded integration across its trading platform.

Market Reaction and Social Discussion

Despite the regulatory approvals and institutional deals, market prices for XRP remained largely steady following the announcements. Industry commentators on social media noted the contrast between major corporate milestones and immediate market pricing.

Past performance of digital assets is not an indicator of future performance. Market conditions can fluctuate rapidly based on broad economic trends.

High-Profile Guests and Key Speakers

Bessent was not the only notable figure on the Swell 2026 schedule. The three-day event hosted leaders from academia, traditional markets, and global relief efforts.

• Matt Damon and Gary White: The co-founders of Water.org explained how Ripple's infrastructure and the RLUSD stablecoin can support financial inclusion and expand access to safe drinking water.
• Tom Farley: The former President of the New York Stock Exchange and current CEO of Bullish joined Brad Garlinghouse to discuss how traditional capital markets are integrating digital assets.
• Financial Executives: Representatives from global banking institutions shared technical insights on cross-border liquidity and settlement.

Looking Ahead

The Swell 2026 conference highlights how enterprise blockchain companies are seeking tighter integration with mainstream finance. Through bank charters, stablecoin rollouts, and regulatory dialog, Ripple continues to build infrastructure alongside institutional leaders.