OCC Advocates Equal Charter Standards for Crypto Firms in Banking Modernization Push

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has doubled down on its stance that cryptocurrency companies deserve equal access to federal bank charters, provided they meet traditional banking standards. This policy shift reflects growing institutional recognition of blockchain's role in financial infrastructure evolution.

Charter applications from digital asset firms have surged as major players seek legitimacy under federal oversight. The OCC points to its experience with digital trust platforms as evidence of readiness to integrate crypto operations. "Core services like custody have been electronic for decades—blockchain is the next logical step," said Senior Deputy Comptroller Jonathan Gould.

The MOVE signals a watershed moment for regulated crypto services. Established players and decentralized platforms alike now face a clear path to banking integration, provided they can satisfy the OCC's rigorous compliance framework. This development may accelerate institutional adoption across custody, payments, and asset management verticals.