Circle has received final approval from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank, becoming one of a small but expanding group of crypto focused firms to earn the regulator’s authorization.
The company behind the world’s second largest stablecoin announced that it will launch First National Digital Currency Bank, N.A., operating under the name Circle National Trust. Company executives described the approval as a major milestone that places the institution under direct federal oversight.
Circle Advances US Banking Strategy
The national trust bank charter will allow Circle to provide fiduciary cryptocurrency custody services for both the company and its affiliates. It also creates a path for managing USDC reserves under OCC supervision, bringing a key part of the stablecoin’s infrastructure within the US federal banking system.
Circle said it may eventually expand its custody services to a select group of institutional clients, including banks and other regulated financial institutions, depending on market demand.
Commenting on the approval, Circle Co Founder, Chairman, and CEO Jeremy Allaire said the authorization marks an important step toward integrating blockchain technology and digital assets into the core of the US financial system. He added that federal oversight of Circle National Trust establishes a stronger foundation for transparency, governance, and scalability while giving financial institutions greater confidence to build on public blockchain networks.
The approval also represents the latest milestone in Circle’s long term regulatory strategy. The company submitted its application for the charter about a year ago, received conditional approval in 2025, and has now secured full authorization.
Circle Joins Other Crypto Firms With OCC Approval
Circle joins a growing list of digital asset companies that have obtained approval from the OCC to establish national trust banks.
Among them is Ripple, which received authorization to launch Ripple National Trust Bank, a move widely viewed as another step toward integrating blockchain based financial infrastructure into the US banking system.
Other crypto focused firms that have received similar regulatory approval include BitGo, Digital Assets, and Paxos, reflecting the increasing acceptance of digital asset firms within the traditional financial framework.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic
