November 25, 2025 | 01:16Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has officially applied for a National Trust Company Charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, marking a strategic pivot toward greater regulatory integration. This move represents the company’s latest effort to bridge the gap between digital assets and traditional financial systems, signaling Coinbase’s commitment to expanding its business capabilities and regulatory oversight beyond current frameworks while maintaining its core operational focus.
about Coinbase Applies for National Trust Charter with OCCOffice of the Comptroller of the Currency
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Fed Ends Special Crypto Oversight, Integrates into Standard Processes
The Federal Reserve is sunsetting its Novel Activities Supervision Program, established in 2023 to monitor banks’ crypto and fintech activities, and will now oversee these areas through standard supervisory channels. The program enhanced the Fed’s understanding of crypto-related risks and bank management practices, which will now be incorporated into regular oversight. This decision follows other pro-crypto regulatory changes this year, including the removal of reputational risk from bank supervision and coordinated guidance on crypto custody. Fed Chair Jerome Powell has advocated for clearer frameworks, signaling a move toward accommodating responsible innovation in crypto banking. The shift reflects regulators’ growing confidence in managing digital asset risks and marks a broader normalization of crypto banking supervision.
about Fed Ends Special Crypto Oversight, Integrates into Standard ProcessesTrump Ends Banking Bias Against Crypto with Executive Order
On August 7, President Trump signed an executive order to halt discriminatory banking practices against the crypto industry, barring regulators from using ‘reputational risk’ to influence banks’ decisions. The order addresses concerns over ‘Operation Choke Point 2.0,’ an informal regulatory campaign allegedly pressuring banks to cut services for crypto firms, even those complying with laws. Critics argue this has led to unexplained account closures and financial instability for legal businesses. The order aligns with recent pledges from the Federal Reserve, FDIC, and OCC to stop evaluating banks based on reputational factors and supports ongoing congressional efforts to limit regulatory overreach. This move is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to provide clearer protections for crypto companies in the U.S. financial system.
about Trump Ends Banking Bias Against Crypto with Executive OrderRipple Acquires Rail for $200M to Boost Stablecoin Payments
Ripple has agreed to acquire Rail, a Toronto-based payments platform, for $200 million, marking a strategic move to strengthen its stablecoin and cross-border payment offerings. Rail’s compliance features, including KYC workflows and transaction monitoring, will bolster Ripple’s ability to serve fintechs, neobanks, and enterprises. The acquisition supports Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin and XRP, with a focus on bridging traditional and crypto payments. Ripple’s president highlighted stablecoins as a ‘cornerstone of modern finance,’ while the company continues expanding its regulatory footprint, including a pending banking license application. This follows Ripple’s recent $1.25 billion purchase of prime brokerage Hidden Road, signaling aggressive growth in institutional crypto services.
about Ripple Acquires Rail for $200M to Boost Stablecoin PaymentsSEC Launches Crypto Policy Tour & AI Task Force
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is launching a nationwide crypto policy tour from August to December, led by Commissioner Hester Peirce, to gather direct industry input on custody, DeFi, and tokenization. Concurrently, the SEC’s new Crypto Task Force will leverage AI for market surveillance and fraud detection, with a focus on small startups. This push aligns with recent regulatory shifts, including the GENIUS Act on stablecoins and relaxed banking rules for crypto services. The SEC aims to shape future rules through these engagements, signaling a collaborative approach under the current administration.
about SEC Launches Crypto Policy Tour & AI Task ForceSchwab to Offer Bitcoin, Ethereum Trading in 2026
Charles Schwab, managing $7.3 trillion in assets, will launch spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading by 2026, as revealed by CEO Rick Wurster. The decision follows regulatory easing and strong client interest, with Schwab customers already holding 20% of crypto ETPs. Despite only 1-2% of client crypto assets being held with Schwab, demand is surging, evidenced by a 400% spike in crypto-related web traffic. The shift aligns with institutional trends, as surveys predict an 83% increase in crypto allocations by 2025, with Solana and XRP gaining traction alongside stablecoins for payments.
about Schwab to Offer Bitcoin, Ethereum Trading in 2026Ripple CEO to Testify on Crypto Legislation Before Senate
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse will testify before the U.S. Senate Banking Committee on July 9, advocating for clear crypto market structure legislation. The hearing, ‘From Wall Street to Web3,’ will include discussions on the GENIUS ACT, which mandates 100% reserve backing for stablecoins, and the CLARITY Act, aiming to define crypto tokens as securities or commodities. Garlinghouse’s testimony underscores Ripple’s push for regulatory clarity, especially for XRP, amid ongoing legal battles with the SEC. Ripple is also seeking a national bank charter and a Federal Reserve master account, positioning itself as a crypto-native firm with FDIC-insured services. The outcome could shape the future of crypto regulation in the U.S., with XRP’s price showing modest gains ahead of the hearing.
about Ripple CEO to Testify on Crypto Legislation Before SenateBank Insider Admits to 9-Year Fraud Scheme
Francis Eversman, a former Tempo Bank senior loan officer, and Gregg Crawford, a construction company owner, admitted to orchestrating a bank fraud conspiracy from 2011 to 2020. Crawford recruited straw purchasers to apply for loans on overvalued properties, while Eversman facilitated their approval. The funds were misused, and fake lease agreements were submitted to conceal the fraud. After an OCC audit raised suspicions, Crawford attempted to mislead regulators. The FBI condemned their breach of public trust. Sentencing is set for October 14, with potential penalties including 30 years imprisonment and $1 million fines.
about Bank Insider Admits to 9-Year Fraud SchemeTech Billionaires Launch Erebor Bank for Crypto & AI Startups
Tech billionaires, including Peter Thiel and Palmer Luckey, are backing Erebor, a new commercial bank designed to support venture-backed startups in crypto, AI, and defense technology. The bank has filed for a national charter and aims to cater to firms overlooked by traditional banks, much like the now-defunct Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). Erebor plans to hold stablecoins and is led by former Circle adviser Jacob Hirshman and Argus co-founder Owen Rapaport. The move comes amid a regulatory push under the Trump administration, including the Genius Act, which supports stablecoin adoption. Bitcoin’s recent surge and increased crypto M&A activity further highlight the sector’s growth potential.
about Tech Billionaires Launch Erebor Bank for Crypto & AI StartupsFed Backs Banks in Crypto Services with Clear Guidelines
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell confirmed during a congressional testimony that U.S. banks are permitted to offer cryptocurrency services, as long as they comply with established risk management and consumer protection protocols. This follows the Fed’s removal of ‘reputational risk’ from its supervision framework, a move that aligns it with the FDIC and OCC. The policy shift aims to eliminate opaque barriers that previously hindered crypto firms’ access to banking services. Powell emphasized the Fed’s support for ‘responsible innovation’ while maintaining strict oversight on financial risks. Despite this openness, Powell hinted at potential interest rate cuts later in 2024, even amid persistent inflation concerns. Industry experts view these changes as a milestone for crypto integration into traditional finance.
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