OCC Conditionally Approves Digital Asset Trust Charters

2 mins mins

Key Points:

Ripple, BitGo, Paxos gain OCC conditional approvals for digital asset trust services.
Not full licenses; firms not authorized for deposits or loans.
Regulation fosters crypto-traditional finance integration but mandates strict compliance.

The OCC has conditionally approved trust bank charters for Ripple, BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, Paxos, and Circle, aligning them with national trust bank standards for digital asset services.

This approval sets a regulatory framework for these companies, enhancing their role in digital asset custodial and fiduciary services, and potentially accelerating crypto integration with traditional finance systems.

OCC Endorses Conditional Trust Charters for Key Crypto Firms

This conditional approval marks a significant shift, enabling these digital asset firms to engage in fiduciary and custodial activities previously inaccessible under standard banking charters. By acquiring Federal Reserve master account opportunities, these firms can streamline access to traditional banking services. Market participants view this move as an important step in bridging cryptocurrency with traditional financial networks.

Industry leaders and regulatory bodies have shown different reactions. The Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) emphasized monitoring these developments, stressing that any activities beyond fiduciary services could infringe state-level regulations.

Brandon Milhorn, President & CEO, CSBS, “Based on the OCC’s conditional approvals, it appears these uninsured national trusts will primarily engage in fiduciary activities related to digital assets, and certain related custodial activities.”

Ripple’s Trust Charter Sparks Transformative Industry Potential

Did you know? The OCC has historically applied a trust-bank framework for regulatory purposes, now extending to digital assets, showcasing a sustained shift towards integrating crypto with traditional finance.

XRP, symbol: XRP, is valued at $2.03, with a market cap of $122.72 billion, according to CoinMarketCap. Its 24-hour trading dropped 12.04% despite minor price movements. Recent months show substantial depreciation, with a 34.39% decline over 90 days. This data was last verified at 05:01 UTC on December 13, 2025.

xrp-daily-chart-137 — XRP(XRP), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 05:01 UTC on December 13, 2025. *Source: CoinMarketCap*

Insights from Coincu suggest Ripple’s trust bank assumption will influence cross-border payment innovations and regulatory adaptations. With the approval, Ripple is positioned to further explore custodial and fiduciary niches, potentially redefining service scopes.

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