Nomura Holdings' Laser Digital Applies for U.S. National Trust Bank Charter

Odaily News: Laser Digital, the digital asset business division of Japanese financial giant Nomura Holdings, has applied for a U.S. national trust bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This move aims to fully relocate its crypto and fintech operations back to the United States, capitalizing on the increasingly relaxed regulatory environment in Washington. Relevant sources have confirmed the application to The Block.

If approved, the federal-level trust bank charter would allow Laser Digital to operate nationwide without needing to apply for custody licenses state-by-state, though it would not involve accepting retail deposits. Reports indicate that the company is also expected to offer spot cryptocurrency trading services.

This initiative coincides with a new wave of "mainstreaming" among crypto-native companies. As U.S. policy shifts towards greater inclusivity, a growing number of institutions are seeking to integrate trading, custody, and settlement services within a federal regulatory framework. The OCC typically grants "conditional approval" for national trust bank charters, requiring applicants to meet regulatory conditions regarding capital, governance, and compliance before commencing full operations.

Previously, Trump-backed World Liberty Financial indicated it was seeking a national trust bank charter to support the issuance and redemption of its USD1 stablecoin under a regulated entity. Additionally, institutions such as Circle, Ripple, BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos have also received conditional approval from the OCC and are progressing towards becoming federally regulated trust banks. (The Block)