Stripe’s Bridge wins OCC nod amid crypto bank charter pushback
2026-02-18
Stablecoin platform Bridge, which was acquired by Stripe last year, has received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to become a federally chartered national trust bank. A national trust bank charter would enable Bridge to become a major participant in the stablecoin ecosystem. Stablecoins are digital currencies designed to maintain stable value, often backed by reserve holdings such as U.S. dollars. With federal permission, Bridge would be able to safely store digital assets for its customers, issue its own stablecoins, and monitor the funds that hold those stablecoins. The approval would bolster Bridge’s ability to cater to businesses that seek to employ digital dollars, Bridge said. These are financial institutions, fintech companies, crypto firms, and enterprises seeking faster, easier payment options. If Bridge operated under a federal umbrella, these customers would be more confident that it would adhere closely to regulations and compliance standards....