Nomura-Backed Laser Digital Seeks US Banking Charter for Crypto Expansion
Laser Digital, the crypto arm of Japan's Nomura Holdings, has applied for a national bank trust charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The MOVE aims to streamline its digital asset operations under federal oversight rather than navigating state-by-state regulations.
The application, filed Tuesday, WOULD enable Laser Digital to offer spot trading in digital assets without taking direct deposits. This strategic pivot comes as fintech and crypto firms increasingly test regulatory waters under the current administration's more favorable stance toward banking charters.
The OCC approval process typically involves two stages—conditional approval followed by final sign-off after capital and operational requirements are met—a timeline that often exceeds twelve months. Laser Digital's bid reflects growing institutional efforts to bring crypto activities within the traditional financial perimeter.
