News & Analysis as of

Cryptocurrency Risk Management Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Patomak Global Partners

Fed Withdrawal of Guidance Marks Milestone for Banks’ Future Crypto Activity

The federal banking agencies have withdrawn previously issued guidance related to banks’ crypto activities, marking a shift in regulatory posture toward digital asset engagement. On April 25, the Federal Reserve Board...more

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

OCC clarifies crypto-asset activities in interpretive letter

On May 7, the OCC clarified permissible activities for national banks and federal savings associations regarding crypto-asset custody and execution services by publishing Interpretive Letter 1184. This letter confirmed...more

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

OCC Confirms Banks Authority to Offer Crypto Custody and Execution Services

On May 7, the OCC issued Interpretive Letter 1184, reaffirming that national banks and federal savings associations may provide cryptocurrency custody and execution services, including through sub-custodians. The OCC...more

Latham & Watkins LLP

OCC Affirms Banks Can Engage in Crypto Custody and Execution Activities

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The federal banking agencies continue to open the channels for regulated entities to engage in digital asset activities. On May 7, 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) published Interpretive Letter...more

McGuireWoods LLP

Banks May Provide Cryptocurrency Transaction and Custody Services, but OCC Has Yet to Provide Clear Compliance Requirements

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On May 7, 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) issued a follow up to its July 2020 Interpretative Letter 1170, which allowed national banks to provide cryptocurrency custody services to their customers....more

Smith Anderson

From “Debanking” to Deregulation: A Turning Point for Reputational Risk

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Federal banking regulators are rapidly rewriting the playbook. In the early months of the second Trump administration, sweeping shifts in policy and supervisory priorities are already taking shape. One of the most...more

Latham & Watkins LLP

FDIC Removes Roadblocks to Crypto Activities in the Banking Sector

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New FDIC guidance permits crypto activities by supervised institutions without prior approval, emphasizing risk management and compliance with applicable laws and regulations....more

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

OCC Signals Shift on Crypto and Debanking Under Acting Comptroller Hood 

On March 18, Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney Hood reiterated the OCC’s commitment to ensuring fair access to banking services, including for cryptocurrency firms. Speaking at a retail banking industry conference,...more

Ballard Spahr LLP

Crypto Clarity: OCC’s New Guidelines Pave the Way for Banking Innovation

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On March 7, 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) released Interpretive Letter 1183, marking a pivotal change in regulatory guidance for national banks and federal savings associations engaging in...more

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

A Crypto-Friendly Pivot in Bank Supervision: Three Practical Action Items for Innovators

A federal banking agency, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), has smoothed the way for national banks and federal savings associations to engage in crypto-related activities with the issuance of Interpretive...more

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

OCC Clarifies Banks’ Role in Cryptocurrency Activities

On March 7, the OCC issued Interpretive Letter 1183 and an accompanying statement affirming prior guidance regarding whether national banks and federal savings associations may engage in cryptocurrency-related activities,...more

Troutman Pepper Locke

OCC Clarifies Bank Authority to Engage in Certain Cryptocurrency Activities

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On March 7, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a significant update regarding the involvement of national banks and federal savings associations in cryptocurrency activities. Interpretive Letter 1183...more

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

OCC Rescinds Required Supervisory "Non-Objection" Preclearance for Permissible Crypto-Related Activities

The OCC has reiterated that certain crypto-related activities—crypto-asset custody, distributed ledger, and stablecoin activities—previously determined to be permissible remain so. The OCC has also rescinded a Biden-era...more

Latham & Watkins LLP

Competing Stablecoin Bills Reflect Consensus and Divergence on Key Issues

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Stablecoin regulation is a top priority for lawmakers, and three recent proposals reflect differing perspectives on how to achieve regulatory clarity while balancing safety and innovation....more

K2 Integrity

Fiat Ramps Unlocked: Practical Tips For Banks And Crypto Firms

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Ask any centralized cryptocurrency firm to name one of their biggest priorities or challenges—and then count the number of times they mention bank partnerships. For crypto firms, the loss of, or failure to acquire, a bank...more

Paul Hastings LLP

PHFintech: Crypto Policy Tracker - December 13, 2024

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A significant headwind for companies in the digital asset space is that they have reportedly struggled to secure and maintain relationships with banks, in what is now called “Choke Point 2.0.” With the incoming Trump...more

Jenner & Block

Client Alert: Buy Now, Pay Later: A Roadmap for Providers as Regulators Continue to Increase Scrutiny

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Point-of-sale financing arrangements payable in four or fewer interest-free installments, known as buy now, pay later (BNPL) arrangements, have soared since their initial breakthrough during the pandemic. Unlike conventional...more

K2 Integrity

Crypto in a Time of Uncertainty

K2 Integrity on

On 07 June 2023, K2 Integrity hosted a webinar on the state of cryptocurrency and digital assets in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. A discussion was held with Bryan Stirewalt, senior managing director at K2...more

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Agencies warn banks of crypto-asset liquidity risks

On February 23, the FDIC, Federal Reserve Board, and OCC released a joint statement addressing bank liquidity risks tied to crypto-assets. The agencies warned that using sources of funding from crypto-asset-related entities...more

McGlinchey Stafford

Federal Banking Agencies Issue Joint Statement on Risks Associated with Crypto-Assets

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On January 3, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) (collectively the Agencies)...more

Latham & Watkins LLP

Banking Regulators Issue Joint Statement on Crypto Risks

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Banking organizations should ensure appropriate risk management, but regulators are skeptical of certain crypto activities as principal. On January 3, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal...more

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Agencies warn banks of crypto-asset risks

On January 3, the FDIC, Federal Reserve Board, and OCC issued a joint interagency statement highlighting key risks banks should consider when choosing to engage in cryptocurrency-related services. ...more

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

OCC Highlights Focus on Crypto and Bank-FinTech Partnerships, Anticipates Stricter Scrutiny Going Forward

On September 7, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, Michael Hsu, discussed the long-term threats to trust in banking in remarks at the TCH + BPI Annual Conference. Hsu provided updates on key priorities at the OCC, including...more

Latham & Watkins LLP

Federal Reserve Issues Cryptoasset Engagement “Rules of the Road” for Its Supervised Banking Organizations

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The Federal Reserve is taking measured steps to better understand the types of cryptoasset-related activities contemplated by its supervised banking organizations. On August 16, 2022, the Board of Governors of the...more

Goodwin

CFPB Launches New Initiative Focused on Rural Communities

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In This Issue. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced a new initiative focused on financial issues faced by rural communities and also updated its examination procedures to cover unfair discrimination; the...more

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