OCC new regulation allows US banks to legally engage in cryptocurrency asset trading intermediary services

Rekt_Recovery · 2026-01-04T18:31:41+00:00

The latest guidance from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency allows nationwide banks to act as neutral trading intermediaries in cryptocurrency asset transactions, enhancing the banking system's participation in digital asset liquidity. The regulation clearly states that banks can only perform brokerage roles, prohibiting the establishment of proprietary positions, marking further clarification of the regulatory framework and promoting compliant business expansion.

Rekt_Recovery

2026-01-04 18:31:41

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The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) recently issued new guidance, officially confirming that nationwide banks are permitted to act as neutral intermediaries in cryptocurrency transactions. This decision paves the way for the banking system to participate in digital asset liquidity in a legal manner.

According to industry analysts, the operational logic for banks in such transactions is relatively straightforward—after receiving crypto assets from clients, they quickly transfer them to liquidity providers. Throughout the process, the bank’s asset holding time is extremely short, mainly to meet technical settlement requirements, thus avoiding exposure to market volatility risks.

Regulatory Clear Boundaries for Business Activities

This OCC regulation clearly defines the role of banks—banks can serve as brokers, assisting both buyers and sellers in transaction matching and settlement. However, the regulation also prohibits banks from establishing proprietary positions or engaging in proprietary trading in crypto assets. In other words, the bank’s role is limited to a “channel” function, not a “trader” role.

The emergence of this regulatory framework marks a shift in the attitude of US financial authorities toward bank participation in the crypto market—from previous ambiguity to a relatively clear legal framework. As a result, banking institutions now have the opportunity to expand their business within a compliant framework.

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