OCC 2025 Approves Banks to Hold Crypto for Gas Fees
The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has granted national banks permission to hold limited cryptocurrencies for on-chain gas fee payments, marking a pivotal regulatory milestone. This guidance establishes a clear framework for banks to engage in digital asset activities, including custody and transaction services, potentially accelerating institutional crypto adoption.
The decision builds upon the GENIUS stablecoin bill enacted in July, which created a regulatory structure for payment stablecoins. By allowing banks to maintain crypto on their balance sheets for permissible activities, the OCC addresses a critical pain point for financial institutions navigating digital assets.
This move follows the OCC's May guidance authorizing banks to conduct digital asset operations for customers. The progressive regulatory approach signals growing institutional acceptance of cryptocurrency integration within traditional finance.
