Stablecoin infrastructure firm Bridge has received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to establish a U.S. national trust bank. The decision marks a major step for crypto native firms seeking direct integration with the American banking system.
The preliminary approval allows Bridge to move forward with forming a federally chartered trust institution. However, the company must still meet capital, compliance, and operational standards before receiving full authorization.
A Strategic Shift Toward Federal Oversight
If finalized, the national trust bank charter would allow Bridge to custody digital assets and manage stablecoin reserves under OCC supervision. This structure offers a unified federal framework, rather than requiring separate state licenses.
For stablecoin issuers and infrastructure providers, this approach delivers several advantages:
- Nationwide fiduciary and custody authority
- Direct federal regulatory oversight
- Streamlined institutional partnerships
- Enhanced credibility with banks and enterprises
Bridge executives described the approval as part of a broader regulatory shift in Washington. Policymakers have increasingly emphasized transparency, reserve backing, and consumer safeguards for dollar backed tokens.
Stablecoins and Regulatory Momentum
The development comes as lawmakers debate comprehensive stablecoin legislation. Federal regulators have signaled that stronger guardrails are necessary as stablecoins expand into payments and decentralized finance.
Although conditional approval represents meaningful progress, the OCC requires applicants to demonstrate robust risk management systems and sufficient capital buffers before granting final approval.
If Bridge completes the charter process, it could strengthen the case for federally regulated stablecoin banking models. Such a move may accelerate mainstream adoption while reshaping competition between crypto firms and traditional financial institutions exploring tokenized payment rails.
In a tightening regulatory environment, Bridge’s progress highlights the ongoing institutionalization of the stablecoin sector.
