365Crypto
A New Green Light From Washington
The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency just confirmed something banks have wanted for years. They can now hold crypto on their balance sheets to cover network gas fees. This applies when the activity ties directly to approved banking operations. It sounds dry, but it’s a major step toward normalizing crypto inside traditional finance.
What Banks Can Actually Do
According to the notice, an authorized national bank may hold small amounts of crypto as a principal if it needs the assets to test platforms linked to legal crypto activities. Banks must still follow safety rules and all relevant laws, but the door is wide open for blockchain pilots.
Why This Is Happening Now
The guidance expands an earlier letter from May. That letter allowed banks to manage digital assets for customers and outsource crypto services when needed. The OCC under President Trump has taken a friendlier tone toward crypto, easing pressure on banks that want to experiment.
The GENIUS Act And What’s Next
The new letter cites the GENIUS stablecoin bill, now law, setting a framework for payment stablecoins. Stablecoin transfers require network fees, which a bank can pay using assets in custody or through an agent. Regulators still need months to finalize rules. Meanwhile, the Senate is pushing a broader digital asset market structure bill that many expect to reshape the entire sector.
Footing:
Gas fee: the network cost required to process a blockchain transaction.
Stablecoin: a crypto asset pegged to a stable value, often the US dollar.
Custody: holding assets on behalf of a customer.
