Understand how U.S. regulation and OCC approvals are driving stablecoin adoption and integration with the banking system.
We have recently been witnessing a strong global movement toward the legitimization of stablecoins and blockchain technology, with a major milestone being the approval of the GENIUS Act by the U.S. Congress.
In December 2025, another important step was taken toward bringing stablecoins closer to the traditional banking system. In the United States, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) announced the conditional approval of five applications for national trust bank charters, which will join the group of approximately 60 other institutions currently supervised by the agency.
The OCC conditionally approved applications to establish new national trust banks for First National Digital Currency Bank and Ripple National Trust Bank. The agency also conditionally approved applications to convert state trust companies into national trust banks for BitGo Bank & Trust, National Association, Fidelity Digital Assets, National Association, and Paxos Trust Company, National Association.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency called the OCC, is a federal agency in the U.S. that works within the Department of the Treasury. It oversees national banks, federal savings associations, and branches of foreign banks in the country. It has the job of granting charters, keeping these institutions in check, and ensuring they follow banking laws.
The OCC makes sure the federal banking system stays fair, secure, and efficient. It focuses on keeping banks competitive and ready to help the economy grow. The agency looks after things like banks' capital, how they handle their money, how they're managed, and whether they meet required standards.
The OCC also takes a key role in adding new models and technologies, like digital assets and stablecoin issuers, to the regulated banking system. It works to balance innovation while keeping the system stable.
The OCC aims to provide consumers with wide access to new products, services, and credit options. At the same time, it works to maintain a competitive, diverse, and adaptable banking system. Some approved institutions involved are already stablecoin issuers or are active in this growing space. By blending new technology with regulated financial systems, it helps new developments like stablecoins and digital infrastructure grow.
The approvals granted come with important conditions related to governance, compliance, and risk management requirements. There are also limitations, as these are non-depository licenses, which prevent the acceptance of deposits. Even so, these institutions can issue stablecoins and access rails such as Wire, ACH, and card networks, representing a significant step forward in the separation and specialization of banking functions within a regulated financial system.
In summary, these changes aim to provide alternatives that make financial services faster, more efficient, more accessible, and secure, boosting trust in the market.
In light of the exponential growth in stablecoin circulation over recent years, this regulatory movement highlights the potential of this new infrastructure to transform the financial ecosystem. The stablecoin market reached USD $300Bin market capitalization in 2025, and is expected to reach USD $1T as early as 2026.
By allowing issuers and digital infrastructure providers to operate under federal banking licenses, the OCC signals a progressive integration between the traditional banking system and natively digital layers that are shaping the future of payments and global finance. This creates stronger foundations for large-scale adoption and for the development of multiple use cases that positively impact individuals and businesses around the world.
The GENIUS Act is a U.S. law meant to set clear guidelines to manage how stablecoins are issued and operate. The bill started gaining attention in 2024, moved through Congress during 2025, and should soon get final approval to take effect, creating a specific set of rules for this industry. The law is expected to enter into force between late 2026 and early 2027.
Companies already under federal oversight or holding conditional approvals from the OCC have an advantage. Since they already meet strict requirements around compliance, risk management, and governance, they will be in a stronger position to obtain the licenses outlined under the GENIUS Act once it becomes active, strengthening their market position in this highly dynamic industry.
Conduit is also aligning its regulatory framework in preparation for the effective implementation of the GENIUS Act. In the U.S., we are registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network) and licensed across multiple jurisdictions. Our operations are built on strong compliance, governance, and risk management processes, fully aligned with the standards of the traditional financial system.
By combining this solid regulatory foundation with a natively digital, stablecoin-powered infrastructure, Conduit is well positioned to meet both current and future market demands by connecting previously siloed payment networks such as Fedwire, ACH, SEPA, FPS, SPEI, and others, making transactions faster and more cost-effective.
If you are looking to scale international operations, reduce friction, and operate beyond the limitations of legacy systems, talk to our team and discover how Conduit can transform your cross-border transactions.
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