The U.S. banking regulator, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), has published a new report on limited access to financial services. Major banks are increasingly refusing to provide accounts for crypto companies. This adds significant pressure, as many firms rely on traditional banking services. The situation highlights the ongoing sensitivity in the relationship between banks and the crypto sector.
Why These Restrictions Are Drawing Attention #
The OCC investigated how banks handle sectors they deem high-risk, with crypto being one of them. Some banks are closing accounts or refusing new clients from this industry, a practice known as ‘debanking.’ This causes companies to lose access to payment systems and essential services. The crypto market is closely monitoring these developments, as banking access remains crucial for trading and operations.
The OCC is committed to ending efforts that weaponize finance. Read the OCC’s preliminary findings from its supervisory review of debanking activities at the nine largest national banks. https://t.co/pFMi7Rt8kh pic.twitter.com/XWfbCheo91 — OCC (@USOCC) December 10, 2025
The regulator emphasizes that banks should assess clients based on individual risks, meaning they shouldn’t exclude entire categories of customers. However, the OCC found this is happening in practice. The crypto industry has long pointed to unequal treatment, and the report confirms that concerns about fair access to financial services are valid.
Findings from the OCC’s Review #
The OCC noted that banks imposed restrictions on issuers, exchanges, and crypto custodians, often citing the risk of financial crime as the reason.
The largest U.S. banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Citibank, were named in the review. The OCC stated that some institutions publicly discussed these policy choices but later denied engaging in debanking.
Impact on Companies in the Sector #
Limited access to banking services disrupts daily operations for crypto firms. Payments become less efficient, and opening new accounts takes more time. Consequently, some companies turn to smaller banks, which increases costs and makes operations less stable. Traders are watching these developments closely due to their impact on liquidity and transactions.
Regulators are monitoring the situation closely, aiming to prevent banks from excluding customer groups without clear justification. The crypto sector hopes the report will lead to greater clarity and a fairer risk assessment process. In the coming period, the market will be watching for new banking guidelines and any changes in access to payment systems.