In brief
- U.S. national banks can now buy, sell, and manage crypto assets under custody following new OCC guidance.
- The OCC also permits banks to outsource crypto custody and execution services to third parties.
- The decision marks a rollback of prior restrictions and a coordinated policy shift across U.S. financial regulators.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has given a nod to national U.S. banks it oversees, allowing them to buy, sell, and manage crypto assets under their custody.
National banks may do so at their customers’ direction and are permitted to outsource crypto custody and execution services, an interpretive letter, issued Wednesday by Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney E. Hood, reads.
The OCC’s…
Jan 14 2026
