OCC Halts Debanking of Legal Crypto Firms Following Trump’s Push for Access

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is cracking down on banks that deny services to cryptocurrency businesses operating within legal boundaries. Acting Comptroller Jonathan Gould emphasized at a CoinDesk event in Washington that crypto firms deserve equal access to financial infrastructure. "These activities are inherent to financial intermediation," he stated, signaling a shift toward regulatory collaboration with compliant operators.

The OCC's move follows allegations that some banks systematically cut off crypto clients under pressure from examiners. While consumer groups dispute the scale of the problem, the agency is drawing a clear line: lawful activities warrant banking access. "We'll chart a path for SAFE engagement," Gould affirmed, underscoring regulators' obligation to enable, not obstruct, legitimate innovation.