Stripe’s Bridge Secures OCC Nod for National Bank Charter
The stablecoin platform Bridge, which is under the ownership of the prominent payments processor Stripe, has announced that it has obtained conditional approval to function as a federally chartered national trust bank. This approval comes from the United States Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), a key federal banking regulator.
In an official announcement released on Tuesday, Bridge detailed that it had been granted this conditional green light by the regulatory authority. This development paves the way for the company to deliver stablecoin products and services directly under federal supervision, pending full and final approval. With this national trust bank charter, Bridge will gain the capability to provide secure custody solutions for digital assets, facilitate the issuance of stablecoins, and oversee the management of stablecoin reserves in a compliant manner.
Bridge emphasized the strength of its existing compliance infrastructure, stating that it is already fully prepared to meet the requirements of the GENIUS Act, the landmark stablecoin legislation that was enacted into law back in July 2025. The company highlighted that securing this national trust bank charter will equip its business clients with the essential regulatory foundation necessary to confidently develop and scale stablecoin-based operations.
Source: Bridge announcement
Bridge joins a growing list of cryptocurrency-focused enterprises pursuing national trust bank charters from the OCC, particularly in the wake of the GENIUS Act’s passage. Just last December, the OCC extended conditional approvals to several notable players in the space. These included BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos, which sought to transition their state-level trust operations to federal status. Additionally, Circle and Ripple received similar conditional nods for establishing national trust bank charters.
Public records from the OCC indicate that Bridge formally submitted its application for the bank charter back in October. The conditional approval was officially documented on February 12. This move follows Stripe’s strategic acquisition of the Bridge platform in 2025 through a substantial $1.1 billion transaction, aimed at bolstering its capabilities in stablecoin payment processing and infrastructure.
Adding to the regulatory landscape, the American Bankers Association (ABA) issued a formal letter on Wednesday, pressing the OCC to exercise caution and delay its approvals for cryptocurrency firms seeking national bank trust charters. The ABA expressed concerns that the precise rules and guidelines stemming from the GENIUS Act remain somewhat ambiguous at this stage. According to the influential banking lobby, granting these charters too hastily could enable crypto entities to circumvent the rigorous oversight typically imposed by other United States financial regulatory bodies.
The ABA’s communication specifically advised the OCC to adopt a measured pace, avoiding the use of conventional processing timelines for these applications. Instead, regulators should wait until the full spectrum of each applicant’s regulatory obligations becomes crystal clear before advancing any charter decisions. This stance underscores ongoing tensions between traditional banking interests and the burgeoning crypto sector as both vie for clearer paths within the federal framework.
US Lawmakers Grapple with Stablecoin Yield Policies
Meanwhile, as United States senators continue to propel forward legislative proposals designed to create a robust, comprehensive framework for the digital asset marketplace, officials from the White House have been engaging in ongoing discussions with stakeholders from both the cryptocurrency industry and conventional banking sectors. A central focus of these dialogues revolves around the issue of stablecoin yields. Integrating provisions for stablecoins into the broader market structure legislation, alongside considerations for tokenized equities and potential conflicts of interest, remains a significant hurdle that could influence the outcome of an impending Senate vote.
These developments reflect the evolving regulatory environment surrounding digital assets in the United States. The conditional approval for Bridge represents a pivotal step toward mainstream integration of stablecoin technologies under federal banking oversight. It signals growing acceptance of crypto-native firms within traditional financial structures, even as debates persist over the appropriate pace and parameters of such integrations. For businesses leveraging stablecoins, this charter could unlock new opportunities for scalable, compliant operations backed by the credibility of a national trust bank designation.
The OCC’s actions in recent months, including multiple conditional approvals, demonstrate a proactive stance by the regulator in adapting to innovations in the digital asset space. However, pushback from established banking associations highlights the need for balanced regulation that protects the integrity of the financial system while fostering innovation. As the GENIUS Act’s implementation details solidify, further clarity is expected, potentially smoothing the path for additional charter approvals and broader adoption of stablecoin services across the economy.
