OCC Head Advocates for Normalizing Bank-Crypto Relations

Jonathan Gould, head of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), has called for an end to the stigma surrounding partnerships between traditional banks and the cryptocurrency sector. Speaking in Washington, D.C., Gould criticized the current "two-tiered system" that marginalizes legally compliant crypto activities, asserting that blockchain technology is now integral to modern financial services.

The OCC is prepared to collaborate with banks exploring crypto asset integration, provided they adhere to safety and soundness standards. "We’ll work closely with institutions interested in these activities," Gould emphasized, signaling a regulatory shift toward facilitation rather than obstruction.

This stance aligns with the TRUMP administration's pro-crypto agenda, which aims to establish the U.S. as a global leader in digital assets. Recent policy moves suggest growing institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies as legitimate financial instruments.