US regulators advance digital asset banking and custody rules

United States regulators are advancing new frameworks for the integration of digital asset companies into the national banking system. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) aims to establish final rules by November 2026 to provide a clear pathway for crypto-native firms to obtain national banking charters. Companies such as Circle and BitGo have already undergone these processes, while Ripple received a preliminary conditional approval in December 2025 to establish the Ripple National Trust Bank, focusing on institutional custody and settlement.

Simultaneously, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has submitted a proposal to the Office of Management and Budget to revise regulations regarding the custody of digital assets. This regulatory push comes amid significant security concerns in the sector; data indicates that between January 2025 and July 2026, the crypto market lost $3.63 billion due to 245 attacks and exploits. Notably, approximately 88 percent of these losses occurred on platforms that had previously undergone professional audits.