OCC Head Gould: Crypto Banks Deserve Equal Treatment

Speaking at a blockchain conference, Gould emphasized that services like custody and safekeeping, even for digital assets, are not novel, having existed electronically for decades. This marks a significant shift from the OCC's previous stance, which often viewed crypto as a risk.

Gould highlighted the banking system's capacity for evolution, noting the OCC has received 14 new bank applications this year, nearly matching the total from the past four years, with some from digital asset entities. He firmly believes these entities "should have a pathway to become federally supervised banks," dismissing concerns from traditional banks about oversight challenges.

The OCC already supervises two crypto-native national trust banks, Anchorage Digital and Erebor, reinforcing Gould's confidence in the regulator's ability to manage new entrants and activities fairly. This stance signals a clear regulatory embrace of digital assets within the established banking framework.