Nomura’s Laser Digital secures OCC approval for US crypto trust bank

• Nomura’s crypto subsidiary receives conditional federal trust bank license for digital asset services
• Approval raises competition and oversight in the US crypto banking sector

On May 30, 2026 (UTC), Cryptopolitan reported that Nomura’s crypto subsidiary, Laser Digital, became the first Japanese financial group’s crypto-focused arm to obtain conditional approval for a US federal trust bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The OCC granted this conditional license to Laser Digital National Trust Bank, the new US entity, authorizing it to custody and manage digital, tokenized, and traditional assets under federal regulation.

Laser Digital’s trust bank charter does not include deposit-taking or lending services. The license allows the bank to facilitate transfers between fiat currency, stablecoins, and cryptocurrencies, support cross-border payments, and manage collateral for both crypto and conventional transactions.

The approval from the OCC is conditional, requiring Laser Digital to meet several additional requirements, including minimum capital standards, before it receives full approval. This achievement marks the first time a Japanese financial group’s crypto affiliate has attained such regulatory status in the US.

Laser Digital joins at least eight other crypto and fintech firms with conditional OCC trust bank charters since December 2025. Notable prior recipients include Circle, Ripple, BitGo, Paxos, Fidelity Digital Assets, Bridge (a Stripe subsidiary), and Crypto.com. Regulatory scrutiny remains persistent, and the Bank Policy Institute has challenged the OCC’s framework, expressing concerns about the dilution of conventional banking definitions.

Laser Digital’s entry heightens competition among federally regulated crypto trust banks in the US. The company’s progression to full approval now depends on how swiftly it satisfies the OCC’s remaining capital and compliance requirements. This development underscores both the growing significance of crypto-focused banking and the evolving regulatory environment shaping access to the US digital asset industry.