The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has significantly relaxed rules for traditional banks seeking to enter the world of cryptocurrencies. A new interpretive letter confirms that national banks may facilitate trading in digital assets without holding them directly. The move could make crypto access easier and more appealing to everyday investors.

How the model enabling banks’ entry into crypto works

The OCC explains that banks can act as intermediaries between two clients: one wants to buy a cryptocurrency, the other wants to sell it, and the bank connects the trades without taking on price risk. This model, known as a “riskless principal” transaction, is common in equity and bond markets. The regulator now confirms that the same framework applies to digital assets, placing them on similar legal footing with traditional financial instruments.

What this means for everyday investors

Buying and selling cryptocurrencies through a bank could be transformative for users who prefer a regulated environment. Banks operate under strict oversight, have established risk-management procedures, and can provide the level of security and trust that many hesitant investors seek.

U.S. regulation is shifting

The OCC’s decision signals a broader change in U.S. policy. While parts of the crypto industry have criticized regulatory pressure in recent years, the new Trump administration is adopting a more open stance. OCC head Jonathan Gould emphasizes that digital assets should be evaluated the same way as long-standing electronic financial services. He argues that the banking sector is capable of adapting to new technologies.

The potential impact on the crypto market

Wider bank participation could strengthen market stability, attract new users, increase competition among service providers, and accelerate the adoption of cryptocurrencies in everyday financial life. It marks one of the most significant regulatory shifts in recent years and could shape the future of digital assets in the U.S.

Sources:

https://www.occ.gov/topics/charters-and-licensing/interpretations-and-actions/2025/int1188.pdf

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/12/24