On March 7, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) reclarified certain crypto banking permissions, confirming that national banks and federal savings associations can engage in crypto-asset custody, stablecoin activities, and participation in distributed ledger networks.
The OCC expects banks to have strong risk management controls in place for these activities, reducing the burden on banks and providing consistency in the treatment of crypto-related activities.
There are two primary forms of cryptocurrency custody: custodial (third-party custody) and self-custody. Custodial solutions offer secure storage and compliance frameworks but come with risks. Self-custody aligns with decentralization and financial sovereignty but has its own risks, such as the irreversible loss of funds.
The OCC's permission for banks to offer custody solutions and engage in stablecoin-related activities presents an opportunity for banks to serve as trusted stablecoin custodians, enhancing cross-border payments and remittances.