The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is pushing to revive de novo bank chartering and has explicitly endorsed chartering for entities in digital assets, according to an announcement issued Tuesday.
The move opens federal banking policy to crypto and blockchain companies seeking charter status. The OCC's charter grants national bank powers; entities holding one can accept deposits, extend credit, and operate payment systems under federal supervision rather than pursuing state-by-state licensing. De novo chartering had slowed after 2020 as regulators tightened scrutiny on bank applications. The OCC's endorsement of digital asset chartering reverses years of implicit discouragement.
The statement also commended the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's own reform efforts on charter revival, naming the FDIC as an ally in the effort. Both agencies regulate national banks; the FDIC insures deposits and manages bank failures. Regulators have faced pressure from Congress and industry groups to clarify chartering standards after several high-profile crypto-focused bank applications stalled or were rejected between 2023 and 2025.
Digital asset firms have long sought national bank charters to consolidate regulatory compliance and access Federal Reserve payment rails. Silvergate Bank, which operated a crypto-focused charter from 2013 until its 2023 closure, had demonstrated both the appeal and risks of the model. Crypto.com and other platforms have pursued or discussed charter applications. State-chartered paths require meeting separate requirements in each of 50 states and lack direct Fed access.
The OCC's statement does not announce a specific charter approval or application pipeline. It commits the agency to reinvigorating the chartering process broadly, with digital assets named as an eligible sector. Implementation details on approval criteria, capital requirements, or timeline remain to be set through notice-and-comment rulemaking or guidance documents.
The OCC statement arrives as Congress debates broader crypto regulation. The House and Senate have each advanced bills targeting stablecoin issuance, custody, and trading venue licensing. A federal chartering pathway for digital asset banks could reduce some pressure for sector-specific legislation if it provides sufficient regulatory certainty.
Two federal banking regulators backing charter revival for crypto entities in the same window is uncommon. The OCC and FDIC have diverged publicly on crypto risk in recent years, with the FDIC issuing guidance in 2023 warning banks away from crypto services. Both agencies now endorse charter revival and crypto chartering. If both agencies move chartering applications through review on comparable timelines, approval could come within 12 to 18 months.
