Ripple Sparks Debate in Congress Over $93 Trillion Payment System Overhaul!

U.S. Lawmakers Name <a href="https://bbg-news.com/xrp-usd/">Ripple</a> in Push to Overhaul $93 Trillion ACH Network

I was interested to see Ripple come up during a recent hearing held by the U.S. House Financial Services Committee. It really highlighted blockchain-based payments and brought them to the attention of policymakers. It suggests these kinds of technologies are now being seriously considered at a policy level.

During a recent discussion on innovation in financial markets, Representative Sam Liccardo asked Randall Guynn, a director at the Federal Reserve, if the agency was updating payment systems fast enough. He pointed to Ripple as an example of technology that could make transactions quicker and less expensive.

Lawmakers Push for Faster Payment Systems

The conversation centered on making the ACH network better. This network processes direct deposits, bill payments, and other electronic money transfers for businesses and individuals throughout the U.S.

Liccardo highlighted a proposal supported by companies like Intuit and Ripple: requiring upfront funding for ACH transactions.

His comments highlight the increasing demand for regulators to find ways to speed things up and work more efficiently.

Ripple’s Fed Proposal Gains Attention

Ripple recently came up in a Congressional discussion because of a plan they proposed to the Federal Reserve in February 2026. The plan involved using pre-funded bank accounts – specifically ACH accounts – for companies that issue stablecoins, like Ripple’s own RLUSD.

This system works by requiring those issuing payments to have the full amount available upfront, enabling transactions to settle almost immediately and eliminating the risk of either party defaulting. It also lessens the need for traditional banks as intermediaries.

$93 Trillion Market at Stake

The ACH network is still a major payment system worldwide, handling approximately $93 trillion in transactions in 2025, with over $61 trillion of that being credit payments.

Even minor improvements to the underlying technology using blockchain could significantly increase activity on the blockchain network, and that’s why policymakers are paying more attention to these upgrades.

Ripple wasn’t the only one involved in the conversation. Companies such as Visa and Intuit also shared their thoughts. They proposed ideas like requiring accounts to have funds in advance, setting limits on transaction sizes, and using better monitoring systems to lower risks and speed up processing times.

What This Means for Crypto Adoption

From my perspective, Ripple being discussed in a congressional hearing is a clear sign that traditional finance is increasingly interested in blockchain technology. It seems regulators are actively looking at ways to modernize our payment systems, and I anticipate proposals like pre-funded ACH and the integration of stablecoins will likely be central to how U.S. payments evolve moving forward.

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FAQs

Ripple was brought up during a congressional hearing as a good example of a faster and cheaper way to make payments. The representative questioning regulators was discussing improvements to the U.S. ACH network.

The ACH network is a vital part of the U.S. payment system, used for things like payroll and money transfers. Officials want to update it to make transactions quicker, less expensive, and more efficient.

For companies that issue stablecoins, “pre-funded ACH” means they’ll need to have the full amount of money available upfront before processing payments. This would allow for faster transactions without needing to go through traditional banks.

2026-03-28 10:08