Laser Digital Pursues OCC Charter Amid Crypto Oversight

Laser Digital, the digital asset arm backed by Japanese financial giant Nomura, has applied for a U.S. national trust bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

The move places the firm alongside a growing wave of crypto-focused institutions. Which pursue federal banking oversight as Washington adopts a more constructive posture toward digital assets.

By applying for the charter, Laser Digital aims to operate a federally regulated trust bank. Offering digital asset custody, trading, and institutional services.

Therefore, the firm wants to bypass the fragmented state licensing system and operate under a single national regulator. This decision reflects a broader industry shift where regulatory clarity now serves as a strategic advantage rather than a burden.

Why a National Trust Charter Changes the Game

A national trust bank charter provides a clear regulatory path for firms that focus on fiduciary and custody services without accepting retail deposits.

Moreover, the structure aligns closely with institutional crypto demand. Where capital allocators prioritize governance, asset security, and regulatory oversight.

Laser Digital’s approach mirrors a wider transformation across the digital asset sector. Also, firms serving hedge funds, asset managers, and corporate treasuries increasingly view federal supervision as essential for scaling in the U.S. market.

Through the OCC framework, trust banks can custody digital assets while meeting strict capital, compliance, and risk-management standards.

Additionally, this charter enables tighter integration with traditional financial infrastructure. By operating inside a familiar regulatory perimeter, Laser Digital can connect more easily with banks, broker-dealers, and clearing systems that institutional clients already trust.

Washington’s Policy Shift Drives Momentum

However, Laser Digital’s application reflects more than corporate ambition. A clear policy shift in Washington has changed the regulatory calculus.

Federal agencies now emphasize structured compliance pathways rather than enforcement-first tactics, especially for firms that proactively engage regulators.

Furthermore, policymakers increasingly treat digital assets as strategic financial infrastructure instead of speculative sidelines.

Nomura’s backing strengthens this push. By supporting a federally regulated U.S. crypto trust bank, the firm signals long-term conviction in regulated digital markets.

Additionally, Laser Digital positions itself to compete directly with traditional custodians entering crypto and crypto-native firms racing toward bank-level legitimacy.

If regulators approve the charter, the decision will mark a turning point. Crypto firms no longer seek regulatory tolerance, they seek formal inclusion.

In this phase, crypto does not sit outside the system. It actively builds itself into it.

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