Crypto giants Circle and Coinbase reportedly eye US banking licenses amid regulatory thaw
A growing number of leading crypto firms, including Circle, Coinbase, BitGo, and Paxos, are reportedly preparing to apply for banking licenses in the United States.
According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, the firms are leveraging a wave of pro-crypto sentiment in Washington to advance their long-term plans.
The report noted that each company is exploring different types of licenses depending on its business model. Some are pursuing national trust or industrial bank charters, allowing them to operate similarly to traditional banks. Others are targeting more limited licenses focused on stablecoin issuance and custody services.
This shift marks a dramatic reversal from the past few years, when the relationship between the…
