Coinbase took a step toward strengthening its position in the U.S. digital asset market by applying for a federal trust company license.
Crypto exchange Coinbase announced that it submitted an application to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a National Trust Company Charter, which would allow the company to expand its range of services and enhance regulatory oversight of its operations.
The new license would enable Coinbase to further develop its existing custodial services and launch new products in the field of payments and related services, ensuring transparency and building trust among regulators.
In its press release, Coinbase emphasized that it doesn’t aim to become a bank but views the federal license as a tool to create a clear regulatory framework and strengthen trust in digital assets among customers and institutional investors. If the application is approved, the company will be able to offer a broader range of services under clear rules and guaranteed oversight, accelerating the integration of cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial system.
Coinbase noted that its appeal to the OCC reflects the company’s strategic goal of establishing unified rules for the cryptocurrency market. A federal license would not only simplify regulatory oversight of new products but also expand institutional adoption of digital assets. The company stated its readiness to actively cooperate with the OCC and to take into account feedback from both regulators and the public consultation process.
It’s noted that Coinbase’s legal entities currently operate under the BitLicense issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) in 2015.
In July 2025, FinTech company Circle submitted an official application to the OCC for a license to establish a federally regulated trust bank. Around the same time, Ripple filed a similar application. Analysts previously highlighted the growing interest from cryptocurrency firms and FinTech organizations in obtaining licenses that would allow them to operate as banks at the state or federal level.
