Laser Digital seeks US bank charter amid regulatory thaw under Trump-era OCC

Laser Digital, Nomura’s crypto arm, has applied for a national trust bank charter with the US OCC to launch federally regulated crypto custody and spot trading services, according to a Financial Times report.

The move would allow the firm to bypass state-level licenses and operate under a unified federal framework.

The application joins a wave of OCC charter filings as crypto and fintech firms pursue access to traditional banking infrastructure. Fourteen such applications were filed in 2025, nearly matching the total from the previous four years.

The surge reflects a friendlier stance from OCC leadership under Comptroller Jonathan Gould during the Trump administration.

Other recent applicants include Trump-affiliated World Liberty Financial and fintech firm Revolut, which dropped plans to buy a US bank. Outside crypto, Ford and GM recently secured FDIC approval to launch banks.

Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckey also received OCC approval for a bank focused on AI and digital assets.

The charter process includes a four-month preliminary review, followed by final approval based on capital and operational readiness, which can take over a year.

Under Biden, stricter review standards led many applicants to withdraw. The recent shift suggests a more open posture under Trump-aligned regulators.

Laser Digital’s filing comes as the Clarity Act stalls in the Senate and traditional banks push back on stablecoin yield provisions, warning of potential deposit flight if token yields surpass bank rates.