The U.S. Workplace of the Comptroller of the Forex (OCC) has given nationwide banks the inexperienced gentle to carry crypto on their stability sheets for the aim of paying blockchain community charges.
The steering, issued in interpretive letter No. 1186 as we speak, additionally permits banks to maintain crypto available to check inner or third-party crypto platforms.
Blockchain networks require native tokens to course of transactions. These charges, usually referred to as “gasoline charges,” are unavoidable.
The OCC mentioned banks can maintain the tokens they fairly anticipate needing. This might embrace paying charges as a part of crypto custody companies or facilitating consumer transactions. The purpose is to cut back reliance on third-party suppliers and decrease operational dangers.
“Paying community charges is a needed a part of doing enterprise on blockchain networks,” the OCC mentioned. “Holding crypto for this objective is permissible when it helps in any other case lawful banking actions.”
‘Incidental’ banking makes use of
The steering emphasizes that these actions are “incidental to the enterprise of banking.” That phrase has weight in regulatory language. It means banks can do it legally, so long as the exercise helps them serve clients or function effectively.
The OCC even drew parallels to historic banking practices, like holding international forex, banknotes, or shares in fee methods to facilitate transactions.
In different phrases, banks have all the time wanted to carry sure property to do enterprise. Crypto is simply the newest type.
Banks are anticipated to handle dangers fastidiously. They have to observe operational, market, liquidity, cybersecurity, and authorized dangers. The quantity of crypto held ought to stay minimal relative to the financial institution’s capital.
The letter comes beneath the management of Comptroller Jonathan Gould, a Trump appointee confirmed in July 2025. Beneath his tenure, the OCC has develop into extra crypto-friendly. Earlier steering allowed banks to behave as nodes on blockchain networks, supply crypto custody companies, and work with stablecoins.
In the meantime, broader guidelines for stablecoin issuers beneath the GENIUS Act are nonetheless being drafted. However the OCC’s transfer alerts that U.S. regulators are prepared to let banks take part in crypto safely and effectively.
As extra banks discover digital property, this steering might speed up adoption. It bridges conventional finance and blockchain, giving banks a clearer path to combine crypto into on a regular basis operations.
Earlier this 12 months, the OCC issued steering (Interpretive Letter 1184) permitting nationwide banks and federal financial savings associations to supply cryptocurrency custody and buying and selling companies.
Basically, banks can purchase and promote digital property on behalf of shoppers, outsource crypto actions to 3rd events, and supply associated companies like recordkeeping, tax reporting, and compliance.