Nomura-backed Laser Digital seeks US banking charter amid crypto firms’ push onshore: FT

Laser Digital, the digital assets division of Japanese banking giant Nomura, has submitted an application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a U.S. national trust bank charter. This move aligns with a broader trend of crypto and fintech firms seeking federal banking supervision as the regulatory environment in Washington becomes more accommodating. Obtaining this charter would allow Laser Digital to conduct nationwide operations, including spot cryptocurrency trading, without needing individual state-by-state custody licenses, though it would not permit taking retail deposits. The OCC typically grants these charters conditionally, requiring applicants to meet strict capital, governance, and compliance standards before final approval. This development follows similar applications from other crypto-related entities like World Liberty Financial, Circle, Ripple, BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos, many of whom have already received conditional approval.

(Source：The Block)