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The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has published new guidelines on crypto transactions. National banks are given more room to offer services related to digital assets, under strict conditions and within existing legislation. For the crypto market, this means increased attention from traditional financial institutions.
New Leeway for Banks in the Crypto Market #
The guidelines clarify which activities are permitted under supervision. Banks may facilitate crypto transactions for clients, provided they manage risks. This includes services like custody, transaction settlement, and payments with digital assets. This creates more clarity for management and compliance departments.
🚨US BANKS CAN NOW HANDLE CRYPTO TRANSACTIONS
The OCC says banks may act as intermediaries in “riskless principal” crypto transactions, as the Trump administration moves to bring TradFi closer to crypto. pic.twitter.com/eGkYV0YWgq
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) December 9, 2025
Until now, many banks remained hesitant due to unclear rules. The new interpretation lowers that threshold. Financial institutions now have a framework within which they can design products around Bitcoin and Ether. This increases the likelihood of using existing accounts and infrastructure for crypto-related services.
Implications for Market Structure and Institutional Interest #
For the crypto market, the involvement of banks is crucial. They bring experience in supervision, reporting, and customer due diligence. This appeals particularly to institutional investors, who feel more at ease with parties that have a known license and clear procedures.
The new space for banks also impacts trading volume and liquidity. When more parties offer access to Bitcoin and Ether, the integration with traditional markets grows. This happens primarily through bank accounts, trading platforms, and custody solutions. As a result, the line between classic financial products and digital assets continues to blur.
Outlook for Regulation and Market Development #
The sector is now watching how quickly banks will actually use these opportunities. Executives are weighing commercial opportunities against additional costs for supervision and technology. At the same time, the regulator is investigating whether additional rules are needed as volumes grow.
International players are monitoring the impact on competition between financial centers. If American banks support crypto transactions on a larger scale, the pressure on other countries will increase. The coming period will therefore be about practical implementation. The foundation is now laid with clear guidelines; further elaboration will follow step by step.