Key Takeaways
- The OCC confirms U.S. banks can custody and commerce Bitcoin for patrons.
- Banks could outsource custody and execution providers to 3rd events beneath threat tips.
- This marks a shift in U.S. banking coverage amid rising federal help for Bitcoin integration.
The U.S. Workplace of the Comptroller of the Forex (OCC) confirmed this week that nationwide banks and federal financial savings associations are allowed to custody and commerce Bitcoin on behalf of their clients.
The clarification additionally permits banks to outsource permissible crypto actions, together with custody and execution providers, to 3rd events.
Assertion from appearing Comptroller Rodney Hood
In a Could 7 assertion, Appearing Comptroller Rodney Hood mentioned banks can perform these providers on the route of shoppers.
He added in a video posted to X:
Moreover, these banks could present different custody providers, together with document holding, tax or reporting providers for his or her clients.
OCC-regulated banks could purchase and promote property held in custody and are permitted to outsource bank-permissible crypto-asset actions, together with custody and execution providers. https://t.co/0ScQdgNaS6 pic.twitter.com/J5dEkx4WUL
— OCC (@USOCC) Could 7, 2025
Emphasis on third-party threat administration
The OCC emphasised that banks should guarantee correct third-party threat administration when utilizing sub-custodians or exterior suppliers.
These developments construct on prior steerage from March 7, which first signaled a loosening of restrictions on crypto-related banking actions, together with help for stablecoins and participation in distributed ledger networks.
Business reactions
Hood said:
Greater than 50 million People maintain some type of cryptocurrency. This digitalization of economic providers just isn’t a development; it’s a transformation.
StarkWare normal counsel Katherine Kirkpatrick Bos welcomed the transfer, saying it marks a shift within the OCC’s stance:
Extra steerage will give additional readability and can permit banks to re-enter crypto with out the concern of existential regulatory threat.
Why is that this so imp? These letters sign a shift within the OCC’s method, which now seems to be like a give attention to integrating crypto w/in trad banking frameworks. Extra steerage will give additional readability & will permit banks to re-enter crypto w/out the concern of existential regulatory threat.
— Katherine Kirkpatrick Bos (@kkirkbos) Could 7, 2025
Coinbase coverage chief Faryar Shirzad additionally praised Hood’s give attention to readability and authorized adherence.
Broader federal coverage adjustments
This coverage replace comes amid broader federal reversals of earlier anti-crypto stances, together with April actions by the Federal Reserve and a congressional decision signed by President Trump.