Circle Wins Final Approval for National Trust Bank

Circle has received final approval from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank, marking a major regulatory milestone for the USDC issuer. The new entity, Circle National Trust, will provide federally regulated digital asset custody services for Circle and its affiliates while operating under direct OCC oversight.

The approval follows Circle's initial application in June 2025 and the conditional approval granted by the OCC in December 2025. It also builds on the company's existing regulatory licenses across multiple jurisdictions, including compliance with the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework and licenses in the UK, Singapore, Bermuda, and Abu Dhabi.

Circle co-founder Jeremy Allaire said that OCC approval to establish Circle National Trust marks a defining step in bringing blockchain technology and digital assets into the core of the US financial system. The new entity will strengthen the infrastructure supporting USDC by enhancing custody capabilities.