US Banks Can Let Customers Trade Bitcoin and Crypto With No Strings Attached, Says Top Regulator
A top US bank regulator says lenders can facilitate crypto transactions on behalf of their customers without having to hold the assets on their balance sheets.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has issued an interpretive letter confirming that national banks may act as intermediaries in “riskless principal” crypto trades.
The transactions involve buying a crypto asset from one party and immediately selling it to another, with no long-term inventory or significant risk.
This permission applies to crypto assets not classified as securities, like Bitcoin (BTC).
Banks must conduct activities safely, manage risks such as settlement defaults, and comply with all laws.
The OCC views these trades as a part of core banking practices, similar to brokerage services for financial instruments.
The move builds on prior approvals for crypto custody, allowing banks to offer regulated alternatives to unregulated exchanges.
And it’s a departure from the Biden era, when the SEC required entities to record custodial crypto assets on their balance sheets, limiting banks’ ability to offer crypto custody services without significant capital implications – a requirement that was rescinded back in January.
Generated Image: Midjourney
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
You may also like
samczsun: The Key to Crypto Protocol Security Lies in Proactive Re-Auditing
Bug bounty programs are passive measures, while security protection requires proactive advancement.

Millennials with the most cryptocurrency holdings are reaching the peak of divorce, but the law is not yet prepared.
The biggest problem faced by most parties is that they have no idea their spouse holds cryptocurrency.

Using "zero fees" as a gimmick, is Lighter's actual cost 5–10 times higher?
What standard accounts receive from Lighter is not free trading, but rather slower transactions. This delay is turned into a source of profit by faster participants.

Prize pool of 60,000 USDT, “TRON ECO Holiday Odyssey” annual ecological exploration event is about to begin
TRON ECO is launching a major ecosystem collaboration event during Christmas and New Year, offering multiple luxurious benefits across the entire ecosystem experience!

