Laser Digital, the digital assets arm backed by Japanese financial group Nomura, has applied for a national trust bank charter in the United States as crypto and fintech firms accelerate efforts to bring operations onshore under federal oversight. The application was submitted to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, positioning Laser Digital among a growing number of crypto focused companies seeking to operate within the U.S. banking framework. A federal trust charter would allow the firm to offer custody and settlement services nationwide without the need for state by state licensing, while stopping short of accepting retail deposits. The move reflects increasing confidence among digital asset firms that the U.S. regulatory environment is becoming more predictable and accommodating, particularly for institutions seeking to integrate crypto services into traditional financial structures.
The trust bank model has emerged as a preferred route for crypto companies looking to consolidate trading, custody, and settlement operations under a single regulated entity. Under this structure, firms are able to safeguard client assets and support issuance and redemption activities while remaining subject to federal supervision and compliance standards. Laser Digital is expected to offer spot cryptocurrency trading alongside custody services if the charter is approved. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency typically issues conditional approvals for national trust banks, requiring applicants to meet strict requirements related to capital adequacy, governance, risk management, and compliance before full operations can begin. These conditions are designed to align crypto focused firms with the same prudential expectations applied to traditional financial institutions.
Laser Digital’s application follows a broader wave of similar moves by crypto and financial technology firms seeking federal trust status in the United States. Several major digital asset companies have already received conditional approval to operate as national trust banks, reflecting a shift toward regulated infrastructure as the industry matures. This trend underscores a strategic pivot away from offshore or fragmented regulatory approaches toward centralized oversight under U.S. authorities. As policymakers signal greater openness to integrating digital assets into the financial system, applications like Laser Digital’s highlight the growing convergence between traditional banking and the crypto sector, with firms seeking legitimacy, scale, and regulatory clarity in one of the world’s largest financial markets.
