OCC Says Major Banks Are Racing to Secure Crypto Charters in 2025
The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) signalled a surge in federal bank charter applications in 2025, including from firms involved with digital assets. Comptroller Jonathan V. Gould told a Blockchain Association Summit that de novo chartering has been stagnant for years but is now rebounding: the OCC received 14 de novo charter applications in 2025 — nearly the same number as the previous four years combined. Gould defended national trust banks’ authority to custody digital assets, noting national trust banks already report about $2 trillion in non‑fiduciary custodial assets and arguing "there is no justification for considering digital assets differently." He also said the OCC has experience supervising crypto-native banks and is working to modernise chartering after regulatory obstacles discouraged applicants post‑2008. The article credits recent U.S. policy moves — notably the GENIUS Act, discussions around the CLARITY Act, and deregulatory guidance from the OCC, FDIC and Federal Reserve under the current administration — with creating clearer pathways for banks to custody crypto, manage stablecoin reserves, and join blockchain networks. For traders: expect increased institutional custody capacity, faster on‑ramp for crypto products at regulated banks, and potential liquidity and confidence gains as more federally chartered banks enter digital‑asset services.
Bullish
This development is bullish for crypto markets because it increases regulated institutional on‑ramps, custody capacity, and perceived legitimacy. More federally chartered banks applying to offer crypto services suggests growing institutional infrastructure: custody, fiat rails, and stablecoin reserve management. Historically, clearer regulatory frameworks and expanded custody options (for example, institution-led custody growth during previous ETF rollouts) improved liquidity and lowered risk premia, supporting price appreciation and participation from conservative investors. In the short term, expect moderate positive price sensitivity on news and speculative flows as traders price increased institutional involvement. In the medium to long term, sustained increases in insured custody and bank-provided crypto services can materially increase institutional demand, reduce volatility, and broaden market depth. Risks remain — regulatory reversals, supervision challenges, or high-profile custody failures could negate benefits — but the net effect of more federal charters and explicit OCC support is likely to be positive for market confidence and institutional flows.