Laser Digital, the digital asset subsidiary backed by Nomura, has taken a significant step toward expanding its US presence by applying for a national trust bank charter. The application, filed with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, reflects a broader push by crypto and fintech firms to operate under federal banking supervision as regulatory conditions in Washington become more receptive. A federal trust charter would allow Laser Digital to conduct custody, settlement and trading related activities across the United States without the need to secure individual state licenses. While the charter does not permit retail deposit taking, it would provide a regulated framework for offering digital asset custody and potentially spot cryptocurrency trading, giving the firm nationwide operational reach under a single supervisory regime.
The move places Laser Digital among a growing group of crypto focused firms seeking trust bank status to streamline operations and enhance regulatory credibility. The trust charter model has gained traction as a way to consolidate issuance, settlement and asset safeguarding under one federally regulated entity, particularly for stablecoin issuers and institutional custody providers. Under the OCC process, applicants typically receive conditional approval first, followed by a period during which they must meet capital, governance and compliance requirements before commencing operations. This approach allows regulators to closely oversee new entrants while offering firms a clearer path to operating onshore. For companies with global ambitions, a US trust charter is increasingly seen as a strategic foundation for scaling services in one of the world’s largest financial markets.
Laser Digital’s application comes amid a wider surge of interest in federal trust charters from both crypto native and established financial players. Several firms including Circle, Ripple, BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets and Paxos have already received conditional approvals, positioning themselves to operate as federally supervised trust banks once final conditions are met. The trend underscores a shift in the US regulatory landscape, where firms are seeking alignment with banking oversight rather than operating at the edges of financial regulation. As policymakers emphasize clearer rules for digital assets, the onshoring of crypto infrastructure through trust charters is becoming a defining theme in the industry’s next phase of growth.
