Crypto.com’s Federal Charter Bid Highlights Industry’s March Toward Regulation

Crypto.com‘s application for an OCC trust charter is the latest sign of the digital asset industry’s concerted push into the regulated financial mainstream.

By seeking federal oversight, the company is aligning itself with a growing cohort of crypto-native firms that view banking charters as essential for long-term growth and legitimacy.

The firm plans to leverage the charter to build out its institutional-grade custody and staking platform, with a clear focus on serving ETFs and corporate treasuries. This regulatory strategy is unfolding as Crypto.com demonstrates robust commercial momentum, outpacing Coinbase in trading volume.

The trend underscores a pivotal shift: as the crypto market matures, the battle for supremacy is increasingly being fought on the regulatory battlefield, with federal approval becoming a critical competitive asset.