US Banks Authorized To Hold Crypto For Blockchain Transaction Fees, OCC Reveals
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has granted national banks the authority to hold cryptocurrency assets to facilitate blockchain network fees. This regulatory shift allows financial institutions to manage crypto on their balance sheets for transaction settlements and system testing.
Banks may now use digital assets to pay network fees when a legitimate need is demonstrated. The OCC emphasized that relying on third parties for crypto holdings could inflate costs and risks, potentially hindering robust system evaluations. Stablecoins are also permitted for payment processing under the new guidance.
The decision signals growing institutional acceptance of cryptocurrency infrastructure. By enabling banks to directly handle crypto transactions, regulators are removing operational barriers that previously limited traditional finance's participation in blockchain ecosystems.
