Overview
- Interpretive Letter No. 1186 authorizes national banks to keep native tokens on balance sheet to pay blockchain network fees tied to otherwise permissible services, including fees paid for customers.
- Banks may hold small amounts of crypto as principal to run controlled tests of internal or third‑party platforms to validate safety and controls before live use.
- The OCC requires robust management of market, liquidity, cybersecurity, legal and operational risks, and expects holdings to remain minimal relative to capital.
- The agency said allowing in‑house holdings can reduce costs and operational or counterparty risks that arise when relying on third parties for required crypto assets.
- The guidance reflects a broader shift under Comptroller Jonathan Gould toward enabling on‑chain functions while interagency rules for stablecoins under the GENIUS Act are still being drafted.