A newly formed, crypto-friendly lender has received the first national bank charter approved during President Donald Trump’s second term, marking a significant development for digital-asset banking in the United States.
US Regulators Approve New National Crypto Bank
Federal regulators have granted Erebor Bank approval to operate as a national bank, allowing it to serve customers across the US. The institution will launch with approximately $635 million in capital and plans to focus on startups, venture-backed firms and wealthy clients. This customer base has faced limited banking options since the collapse of a major tech-focused bank in 2023.
The approval represents a rare moment in US banking, where new national charters have been scarce in recent years, particularly for institutions openly aligned with crypto and emerging technologies.
Focus on Advanced Technology and Digital Assets
Erebor is positioning itself as a specialist lender for industries such as defense technology, robotics, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Its business model includes extending credit backed by crypto assets or private securities, as well as financing high-performance AI hardware.
The bank also intends to introduce blockchain-based payment systems designed to enable continuous, around-the-clock settlement, diverging from traditional US banking hours.
Valuation Jumps to $4 Billion
Erebor’s regulatory progress follows strong investor backing. After raising $350 million in a late-year funding round led by Lux Capital, the company’s valuation doubled from roughly $2 billion to $4 billion, highlighting growing confidence in regulated crypto banking within the US financial system.
Disclaimer
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