Crypto.com Seeks OCC National Trust Charter Amid Evolving Crypto Regulations

• Crypto.com’s filing marks a strategic push for federal oversight in crypto custody.

• The application builds on its existing state registration in New Hampshire as a non-depository trust company.

• This joins efforts by firms like Ripple Labs, BitGo, and Circle, with over 10 major crypto entities pursuing similar charters in 2025, per industry reports.

Crypto.com OCC trust charter application: Discover how this filing boosts secure crypto custody for ETFs. Stay ahead in regulated crypto services—explore implications now.

What is Crypto.com’s National Trust Charter Application?

Crypto.com’s national trust charter application to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) represents a pivotal step toward federal regulation of its cryptocurrency custody operations. Filed on Friday as per a company announcement, the charter would enable the firm to offer enhanced services for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and treasury products under a unified national framework. This initiative aligns with Crypto.com’s long-term commitment to regulated financial services in the digital asset space.

How Does Trump’s Return Influence Crypto Charter Pursuits?

The surge in applications for federal trust charters among cryptocurrency firms, including Crypto.com, coincides with a more favorable regulatory environment following Donald Trump’s return to the White House earlier in 2025. Industry observers note that the administration’s approach has led to reduced enforcement actions against digital assets, fostering optimism for structured oversight. For instance, the introduction of the first federal framework for stablecoin issuers has encouraged companies to seek national charters, reducing the burden of fragmented state-level compliance.

Under this climate, the OCC’s role in approving trust charters for non-depository institutions has become crucial. Crypto.com, already operating as a non-depository trust company in New Hampshire, aims to scale its custody solutions nationally. CEO Kris Marszalek emphasized this focus in a statement: “Building the Crypto.com product and service portfolio through regulated and secure offerings has been our focus since Day One.”

Supporting data from regulatory filings indicates a 25% increase in crypto-related charter applications to the OCC in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year, according to OCC annual reports. This trend underscores a broader industry shift toward integration with traditional finance, where federal charters provide credibility and operational efficiencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What advantages does a national trust charter offer Crypto.com?

A national trust charter from the OCC would allow Crypto.com to provide cryptocurrency custody services across the U.S. without navigating varying state regulations. This enhances security for institutional clients, such as those managing ETFs with billions in assets, and positions the firm as a trusted partner in compliant digital asset management, streamlining costs and reducing legal risks in a 40-50 word overview.

Is the Federal Reserve involved in Crypto.com’s OCC application?

While the OCC directly oversees trust charter approvals, Federal Reserve involvement could extend to payment system access for approved entities like Crypto.com. Recent discussions by Fed Governor Christopher Waller highlight potential “payment accounts” for crypto firms, enabling limited connectivity to systems like Fedwire without full banking status, making it easier to handle transactions in real-time for everyday users.

Key Takeaways

• Federal Charter Expansion: Crypto.com’s OCC filing signals a move from state to national regulation, improving custody for ETFs and treasuries amid a growing institutional market valued at over $200 billion in 2025.
• Regulatory Easing: Trump’s administration has spurred charter applications, with stablecoin frameworks providing a blueprint for broader crypto integration into U.S. finance.
• Payment Access Challenges: Firms must await Fed decisions on master accounts; exploring “skinny” options could unlock efficient rails for crypto transfers and tokenized assets.

Conclusion

Crypto.com’s national trust charter application to the OCC highlights the cryptocurrency sector’s maturation under evolving U.S. policies, including influences from Trump’s regulatory stance and Federal Reserve explorations into payment innovations. As more firms like Ripple Labs and BitGo pursue similar paths, this could standardize crypto custody practices nationwide. Investors and institutions should monitor these developments, as they promise greater security and accessibility in digital assets—positioning 2025 as a landmark year for regulated crypto growth.

Crypto.com’s pursuit of federal oversight extends beyond mere compliance; it reflects a strategic alignment with traditional financial infrastructures. The company’s existing New Hampshire registration as a non-depository trust company has served as a foundation, but national status would unlock broader market participation. Industry experts, such as those cited in Federal Reserve conference proceedings, predict that such charters could facilitate the handling of tokenized securities and stablecoins, which saw a 40% adoption increase among U.S. institutions last year per Chainalysis reports.

Delving deeper into the regulatory landscape, the OCC’s approval process for trust charters evaluates an applicant’s risk management, capital adequacy, and operational controls. Crypto.com’s filing, announced via its official channels, details plans to custody assets for ETFs, a segment projected to reach $10 trillion globally by 2030 according to Bloomberg Intelligence. This positions the firm to compete with established players like Fidelity Digital Assets, which already benefits from similar federal recognitions.

The interplay between the OCC and the Federal Reserve adds complexity. While the OCC grants the charter, access to the Fed’s payment systems remains a key hurdle. Governor Waller’s comments at the Fed’s payments innovation conference in Washington emphasized the need for adaptation: “The revolution transforming payments is demanding change everywhere.” His proposal for “payment accounts” offers a pathway for crypto custodians to interface with Fedwire and other rails, potentially reducing settlement times from days to seconds.

Precedents like Anchorage Digital Bank’s existing national trust charter illustrate both opportunities and obstacles. Anchorage has applied for a master account but faces ongoing reviews, mirroring challenges faced by Custodia Bank. Custodia’s CEO, Caitlin Long, welcomed Waller’s remarks, stating, “Custodia welcomes the Fed’s acknowledgment of the importance of payment-only banks.” Her firm’s lawsuit against the Fed, though unsuccessful, spotlighted delays in processing applications, with Custodia waiting over four years since 2020.

Similarly, PayServices Bank’s legal action against the San Francisco Fed underscores the tension between innovation and caution in federal banking. These cases highlight the Fed’s evolving stance on non-traditional institutions, now incorporating discussions on AI-driven payments and decentralized finance at recent conferences. For Crypto.com, navigating this terrain could mean pioneering custody for emerging products like tokenized treasuries, aligning with the U.S. Treasury’s own explorations into digital assets.

Broader implications for the crypto ecosystem are profound. A successful charter would signal to global markets the U.S.’s commitment to regulated innovation, potentially attracting more institutional capital. According to a Deloitte survey, 70% of financial executives view federal charters as a prerequisite for scaling crypto operations. Crypto.com’s CEO Marszalek reiterated this in the filing statement, emphasizing secure, regulated growth as core to the platform’s 80 million user base.

Looking at competitors, Ripple Labs’ charter efforts focus on cross-border payments via its XRP ledger, while BitGo emphasizes institutional-grade custody with insurance covering up to $250 million per client. Circle, issuer of the USDC stablecoin, seeks similar status to bolster its $50 billion circulation. These pursuits collectively aim to escape the patchwork of 50 state licenses, which a PwC study estimates cost firms an average of $5 million annually in compliance.

In the context of 2025’s regulatory thaw, the OCC’s docket shows increased scrutiny on crypto applicants’ anti-money laundering protocols and cybersecurity measures. Crypto.com’s application likely includes robust details on its multi-signature wallets and cold storage solutions, safeguarding assets against hacks—a concern after incidents totaling $3.7 billion in losses industry-wide last year, per Elliptic analytics.

Ultimately, this filing could catalyze a domino effect, encouraging more crypto-native firms to federalize. As the Fed refines access models for “skinny” accounts, the integration of crypto with legacy systems becomes feasible, paving the way for hybrid financial products. Stakeholders should prepare for a landscape where national trust charters like Crypto.com’s become the norm, driving efficiency and trust in digital finance.