OCC Grants Circle Conditional Approval for National Trust Bank

The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has granted conditional approval to Circle to operate a National Trust Bank. The bank will manage USDC reserves under federal oversight, marking a key move in digital currency management.

Circle, led by Co-Founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire, has a longstanding commitment to regulatory compliance. The bank aims to facilitate mainstream adoption of stablecoins and blockchain technology, enhancing Circle’s existing infrastructure and capabilities. As Jeremy Allaire stated, “Establishing a national digital currency trust bank of this kind deepens Circle’s longstanding commitment to the highest standards of trust and compliance. As a public company, we’re focused on operating under rigorous regulatory oversight and building the infrastructure that allows digital dollars like USDC to become a core part of global finance.”

The conditional approval brings immediate implications for financial markets as USDC is now aligned with federal oversight. This move could significantly enhance USDC’s credibility and usage in institutional on-chain settlements and payments.

The alignment with the GENIUS Act allows USDC reserves to become on-balance sheet with modified capital charges, paving the way for institutional regulated custody and settlement services. This change is expected to bolster the crypto payments landscape.

The conditional approval sets a precedent for potential financial, regulatory, and technological impacts. By establishing a federally supervised trust bank, Circle will offer a template for managing digital assets and fostering innovation in blockchain technology under existing legal frameworks.

Greg Baer, CEO of the Bank Policy Institute, commented, “This leaves substantial unanswered questions … chiefly, whether the requirements the OCC has outlined for the applicants are appropriately tailored to the activities and risks in which the trust will engage.”