Ripple was mentioned during a recent U.S. House Financial Services Committee hearing, bringing blockchain-based payments into focus at the policy level.
During the session “Innovation at the Speed of Markets,” Representative Sam Liccardo questioned Randall Guynn, Director at the Federal Reserve Division of Supervision and Regulation, on whether they are moving quickly enough to modernize payment systems, citing Ripple as a real-world example of faster and cheaper transaction technology.
Lawmakers Push for Faster Payment Systems
The discussion focused on improving the Automated Clearing House ($ACH) network, which handles payroll, bill payments, and business transfers across the U.S.
Liccardo pointed to industry-backed ideas, saying: “We’ve heard that from Intuit and from Ripple… the idea of imposing pre-funding of $ACH transactions.”
His remarks show that there is growing pressure on regulators to adopt solutions that reduce delays and improve efficiency.
Ripple’s Fed Proposal Gains Attention
Ripple’s mention in Congress links back to its February 2026 proposal to the Federal Reserve. The company suggested introducing pre-funded $ACH accounts for stablecoin issuers like RLUSD.
This model requires issuers to hold full reserves before processing transactions, allowing near-instant settlement while removing counterparty risk. It also reduces reliance on traditional banking intermediaries.
$93 Trillion Market at Stake
The $ACH network remains one of the largest payment systems globally, processing around $93 trillion in transactions in 2025, including over $61 trillion in credit payments.
Even a small change toward blockchain-based rails could move notable volume on-chain, which is why lawmakers are increasingly focused on upgrading the system.
Ripple was not alone in the discussion. Companies like Visa and Intuit also contributed ideas. Suggestions included pre-funding requirements, transaction limits, and stronger monitoring tools to reduce risk and improve settlement speed.
What This Means for Crypto Adoption
Overall, Ripple’s mention in a congressional hearing signals growing interest in blockchain solutions within traditional finance. As regulators explore ways to improve payment infrastructure, proposals like pre-funded $ACH and stablecoin integration could play a larger role in shaping the future of U.S. payments.
