OCC’s Surprise Move: Which Crypto Giants Just Received Game-Changing National Trust Bank Charters?
So, what happens when the old guard of banking opens its doors — cautiously, but surely — to the new kids on the blockchain? The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) just gave a green light, conditional though it may be, to five heavyweight crypto companies like Ripple and Fidelity Digital Assets, letting them operate as nationally chartered trust banks. This isn’t just some bureaucratic shuffle; it’s a clear sign that Washington is warming up to the idea of digital assets weaving themselves into the traditional banking fabric. Of course, before these companies can truly hit the ground running as trust banks, they’ve got a checklist of regulatory hoops to jump through — nothing’s free in the land of finance! But it’s exciting to see innovation encouraged rather than stifled, especially with banking titan Jonathan V. Gould himself championing these new entrants as a boon for consumers and the economy alike. Curious how this shift could reshape the financial landscape? LEARN MORE.
Key Notes
- Federal banking regulator greenlit applications from top crypto platforms to operate as nationally chartered institutions.
- Charter approvals signal Washington’s evolving stance on integrating digital assets into traditional banking frameworks.
- Companies must fulfill specific regulatory requirements before launching full-scale trust banking operations.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced conditional approval for five national trust bank charter applications from five major crypto companies on Dec. 12. Benefiting from this announcement are Ripple, Fidelity Digital Assets, BitGo, Paxos, and Circle.
According to a press release, the OCC conditionally approved applications for de novo (brand new) national trust bank charters for First National Digital Currency Bank and Ripple National Trust Bank. The agency also granted conditional approval to convert from state trust companies to national trust banks for BitGo Bank & Trust, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos Trust Company.
“New entrants into the federal banking sector are good for consumers, the banking industry and the economy,” said Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould.
Prominent crypto journalist Eleanor Terrett posted the breaking news earlier today on X.
🚨JUST IN: The @USOCC just granted conditional approval for trust bank charters to @Ripple, @BitGo, @DigitalAssets, @Paxos, and @Circle.
— Eleanor Terrett (@EleanorTerrett) December 12, 2025
This recent approval represents a significant policy shift in crypto regulation under Gould’s leadership. Earlier in December 2025, Gould stated that traditional banks fighting crypto’s pursuit of trust charters could “risk reversing innovations” in financial services, as CoinDesk reported on Dec. 3, opening doors for US banks to act as crypto intermediaries.
Agency statistics show charter applications have increased dramatically in 2025. From 2011 through 2024, the OCC received fewer than four charter applications per year on average. However, 14 companies, including crypto firms, applied for bank charters in 2025 alone, demonstrating growing interest in federal banking supervision.
OCC Applications From Major Crypto Companies
Circle’s conditional approval establishes First National Digital Currency Bank, which will oversee the USDC Reserve and provide fiduciary digital asset custody services. The company submitted its OCC application on June 30, 2025.
Ripple’s approval positions the company to operate as a federally regulated digital asset custodian. Ripple applied for its national bank charter in July 2025, seeking both a charter and a Federal Reserve master account to enhance regulatory clarity for digital asset custodianship.
BitGo can now offer regulated crypto services nationwide without navigating complex state-by-state licensing requirements. The company received conditional approval to convert its existing South Dakota-chartered trust company into a federally chartered bank.
The OCC’s decision aligns with broader crypto institutional adoption trends and regulatory activities. On Sept. 8, Nasdaq submitted an SEC filing to allow trading of tokenized equities and ETPs on its exchange, potentially reducing settlement times and market friction through blockchain integration, Coinspeaker reported.
Additionally, CME Group will offer round-the-clock cryptocurrency futures and options trading starting early 2026, subject to regulatory review and approval.
The conditional approvals require the companies to meet specific OCC conditions before becoming fully operational national trust banks. The federal banking system currently includes more than 1,000 national banks and federal savings associations, conducting approximately 67% of banking activity in the United States and holding more than $17 trillion in assets combined.
Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.
Vini Barbosa has covered the crypto industry professionally since 2020, summing up to over 10,000 hours of research, writing, and editing related content for media outlets and key industry players. Vini is an active commentator and a heavy user of the technology, truly believing in its revolutionary potential. Topics of interest include blockchain, open-source software, decentralized finance, and real-world utility.
