Crypto.com Joins Coinbase and Ripple in U.S. Bank License Push

• Crypto.com joins Ripple and Coinbase in seeking a U.S. national trust bank charter.
• OCC filings signal growing regulatory integration of crypto firms into U.S. finance.
• Coinbase and Ripple expand custody and payment services under federal oversight.

Crypto.com has officially submitted an application to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) seeking a national trust bank charter, joining several major digital asset firms, Ripple, Coinbase, Circle, and Paxos, in expanding their regulatory presence within the United States.

Crypto.com Seeks Federal Charter to Expand Custody Services

According to the company, the charter application aims to enhance its custody and staking services across multiple blockchain protocols, including its native Cronos network. If approved, the national trust bank charter would allow Crypto.com to operate as a federally regulated trust entity, positioning it to serve institutional clients such as digital asset treasuries and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Crypto.com clarified that the move will not impact ongoing operations at its existing subsidiary, Crypto.com Custody Trust Company, which remains a qualified custodian under the supervision of the New Hampshire Department of Banking. Additionally, the firm described the application as part of its plan to strengthen regulatory oversight while expanding its institutional-grade infrastructure for digital asset custody.

In a statement, CEO Kris Marszalek said the filing marks the next step in the company’s goal of building secure, regulated financial services for institutional and corporate clients.

Coinbase and Ripple Advance Similar Licensing Efforts

The announcement follows similar actions by Coinbase, which recently disclosed its own application for a national trust charter with the OCC. Coinbase stated that the license would enable it to expand its custody and payment services, aligning with new federal guidance that permits state-chartered trust firms to act as qualified custodians for crypto assets.

The exchange emphasized that it does not plan to transition into a traditional bank but intends to leverage the charter to ensure “proper oversight” as it expands beyond custodial offerings. Coinbase’s leadership has stated that the license will facilitate future services, such as tokenized equity and payments, while maintaining compliance with federal standards.

Ripple, Circle, and Paxos have also pursued comparable regulatory charters amid growing scrutiny from U.S. banking associations. These groups have expressed concern about potential risks associated with granting national trust status to digital asset firms.

The OCC charter applications coincide with a broader trend among major crypto institutions seeking to integrate digital assets into the federally supervised banking framework.