Stripe-Owned Bridge Receives OCC Conditional Approval for National Bank Charter

Stablecoin infrastructure platform Bridge, acquired by Stripe in 2025, has received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to operate as a federally chartered national trust bank. Once final approval is granted, the charter would allow Bridge to provide digital asset custody, issue stablecoins and manage related reserves under direct federal oversight.

Bridge said the approval strengthens its regulatory foundation as businesses increasingly seek compliant stablecoin solutions. The company referenced alignment with the GENIUS Act, the stablecoin legislation enacted in July 2025, positioning itself to scale services within a clearer federal framework.

Crypto Firms Seek National Trust Bank Status

Bridge joins a growing list of crypto focused companies pursuing national trust bank charters. The OCC has recently conditionally approved applications from firms including BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, Paxos, Circle and Ripple to either convert state-level trusts or establish federally chartered entities.

However, the move has drawn scrutiny from traditional banking groups. The American Bankers Association has urged regulators to slow approvals, arguing that elements of the GENIUS Act remain unclear and could create oversight gaps.

As lawmakers continue debating broader digital asset market structure legislation, the finalization of stablecoin banking rules may shape how quickly companies like Bridge can expand federally regulated services across the United States.

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