Coinbase, the largest U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchange, has secured full approval for a national trust bank charter from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), giving its custody business a direct federal banking framework.
The approval moves Coinbase from conditional status to a fully chartered national trust company.
OCC Grants Coinbase Full National Trust Charter
The regulator’s records show that Coinbase’s application was received on October 3, 2025, approved on April 2, 2026, and took effect on November 6.
With this charter approval, Coinbase National Trust Company can offer regulated custody, fiduciary, and related payment services under federal oversight.
Coinbase Vice Chairman Ryan VanGrack said the approval builds on the company’s more than 14 years of experience protecting digital assets. He added that it strengthens the rules and oversight behind its custody business.
“We’ve spent years asking for clear rules and rigorous oversight.”
Coinbase also has a history of regulatory approvals in New York. It received its BitLicense from the New York Department of Financial Services in 2017, followed by a limited-purpose trust charter for Coinbase Custody Trust Company in 2018.
How Will the OCC Charter Benefit Coinbase?
The OCC’s National Trust Bank Charter could help Coinbase reduce costs, earn more revenue, and attract more large investors.
First, Coinbase could manage more of its crypto custody services through its own federally approved trust bank instead of relying on outside banking partners. This could help the company keep more of the fees it earns.
The charter could also make it easier for Coinbase to offer services involving stablecoins and digital assets, creating new ways to earn money.
It may also reduce the need to follow separate state rules, making compliance simpler and less costly.
Another major benefit is institutional trust. Pension funds, asset managers, and other large investors often need regulated firms to hold their assets. The OCC charter could make Coinbase more attractive to these clients.
Other Crypto Firms Seek OCC Approval
Coinbase’s move comes as more crypto companies seek direct access to the US banking system.
In December 2025, the OCC said it already supervised around 60 national trust banks. The wider US federal banking system held more than $17 trillion in assets and managed over $85 trillion.
Several crypto companies are also seeking national trust bank status, including Ripple, Circle, BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos.
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