OCC Levels Playing Field: Crypto Companies Now Get Equal Shot at Bank Charters

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency just fired a shot across the bow of traditional finance. Their latest stance? Crypto companies deserve the same treatment as any other firm applying for a national bank charter. No more, no less.

The New Rules of Engagement

Forget the regulatory gray area. The OCC's guidance cuts through the noise, demanding that applications from crypto-native businesses be judged by the exact same standards as those from legacy banks. It bypasses the industry's usual hand-wringing over 'novelty' and focuses squarely on safety, soundness, and fairness.

This isn't a handout; it's a gauntlet thrown. The message to crypto firms is clear: if you want to play in the big leagues, you've got to build like a bank, act like a bank, and withstand the same scrutiny as a bank. No special crypto discounts—just the cold, hard math of capital requirements and compliance frameworks. A welcome dose of reality in an industry sometimes more obsessed with tokenomics than, you know, solvency.

What's the real impact? It legitimizes the sector's infrastructure builders while weeding out the pretenders. The firms that survive this process won't just get a charter; they'll get a credibility stamp that's been notoriously hard to come by.

So, the gates to the fortress of finance are officially ajar. Whether this leads to a flood of new, regulated crypto-banks or just a trickle of serious contenders remains to be seen. One thing's for sure: the days of begging for a seat at the table are over. Now, it's about proving you deserve one—a concept Wall Street has ironically struggled with for centuries.

TLDR

• OCC backs equal charter rules for crypto firms to modernize banking.
• Digital asset companies must meet the same strict standards as banks.
• Charter applications surge as crypto firms seek federal oversight.
• OCC cites experience with digital trusts to show strong readiness.
• Major crypto players pursue national charters to expand regulated services.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has reaffirmed its support for equal treatment of crypto companies pursuing US federal bank charters. The OCC crypto bank charters policy aims to evaluate digital asset firms under the same standards as traditional institutions. This initiative reflects the regulator’s confidence in integrating blockchain-based operations into the established banking framework.

OCC Endorses Modernization in Banking

The OCC continues to emphasize that crypto companies should undergo the same chartering process as conventional banks. The agency believes that restricting digital asset activities WOULD hinder innovation and progress in financial systems. It maintains that OCC crypto bank charters align with the natural evolution of banking technology.

Jonathan Gould stated that Core services such as custody and safekeeping have long been managed electronically. Blockchain represents a continuation of this evolution, not a disruption. The OCC insists that digital assets deserve the same regulatory standards as other financial products.

The OCC crypto bank charters initiative encourages transparency, strong capital structures, and compliance with federal banking laws. Each applicant must demonstrate effective cybersecurity frameworks and risk management practices. These requirements ensure that the banking system remains secure while embracing blockchain innovation.

OCC Expands Oversight of Digital Institutions

The OCC reported receiving 14 bank charter applications in 2025, including several from digital asset companies. This figure nearly matches the total number of applications from the previous four years combined. The surge indicates growing interest in OCC crypto bank charters among blockchain-based entities.

Gould highlighted the OCC’s prior experience supervising crypto-native institutions such as Anchorage Digital and Erebor Trust. These examples, he said, demonstrate the regulator’s ability to manage digital asset risks effectively. Hence, the OCC crypto bank charters process aims to integrate new entrants smoothly into the regulated system.

Traditional banks have expressed concerns about the OCC’s capacity to oversee such firms. However, the regulator maintains that its experience with digital trust banks proves its readiness. It continues to assure the industry that it can supervise both new and existing banks fairly.

Major Crypto Firms Join the Charter Race

Coinbase, Ripple and Circle have applied for OCC crypto bank charters to expand their financial services under federal regulation. Coinbase seeks to operate independently of third-party banks by obtaining a national trust charter. Similarly, Ripple intends to bring its stablecoin RLUSD under direct federal supervision.

Circle plans to establish the First National Digital Currency Bank, focusing on crypto custody and payment services. These applications reflect the industry’s growing preference for transparent and regulated operations. The OCC crypto bank charters framework provides a legal pathway for such firms to align with national banking standards.

The OCC’s consistent approach demonstrates its commitment to modernization within financial regulation. By advancing OCC crypto bank charters, the agency bridges traditional banking with blockchain innovation. This development marks a significant step toward integrating digital assets into the federal banking structure.