13 February 2026
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) recently announced something big: national banks in the United States are now allowed to buy, sell, and manage crypto assets. These new guidelines allow banks to conduct crypto activities under the supervision of their customers. The OCC is sending a clear signal that it’s time to open the doors to the digital world.
An interpretive letter issued by Interim Comptroller Rodney E. Hood said banks would also be permitted to outsource crypto custody and execution services to third parties. The move is part of a broader push by U.S. financial regulators to loosen rules around digital assets to increase opportunities for banks.
Just two weeks ago, the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) repealed guidelines that required banks to obtain prior approval before issuing crypto started working. These “Choke Point” practices had seriously hampered the adoption of crypto by financial institutions.
The OCC is building on previous policies, such as 1170’s Interpretive Letter 2020, which allowed banks to offer crypto custody. At the time, the OCC argued that banks were taking a modern approach to traditional banking by securing cryptographic keys for digital assets. But with the political regime change in 2021, those capabilities were curtailed. The recent guidance now marks a renewed enthusiasm for the digital asset sector.
With the new guidelines, more traditional banks also see opportunities to enter the crypto market, without having to set up a completely new infrastructure. Critics such as Eric Trump However, banks have criticized banks for not handling crypto well, describing them as “broken, slow and expensive.” The OCC’s recent endorsement, however, embraces an open, innovative approach.
These new guidelines also follow the OCC’s previous Interpretive Letter 1183 from March, in which it confirmed that custody of crypto assets, distributed ledgers, and stablecoin activities are “permissible” provided they adhere to sound risk management practices. This marks a clear shift in the financial authorities’ oversight and policy.
With these developments, the OCC is now making history again, and banks are being encouraged to commit to the digital future. The FDIC is also joining this renewed approach. Acting Chairman Travis Hill emphasized that this move shows that it is time to end the mistakes of the past.
What does the new OCC guideline entail?
The OCC now allows national banks to buy, sell and manage crypto assets under the supervision of their customers, and they are also allowed to outsource crypto custody services.
How does this development impact crypto adoption in the US?
The directive marks a major shift in crypto oversight, which could lead to broader adoption of digital assets within the traditional banking sector.
What are the reactions to these changes?
Critics like Eric Trump have criticized the slowness and costs of some banks, while others see this as an opportunity for traditionalists to enter the fast-growing crypto market.
Bitcoin (BTC)
Ethereum (ETH)
XRP (XRP)
