Background
Laser Digital, a Swiss‑based subsidiary of Japan’s largest investment bank Nomura Group, announced on Tuesday that it has submitted an application to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a national trust bank charter.
Application Details
The proposed entity, Laser Digital National Trust Bank, would focus exclusively on digital assets, offering institutional custody and spot‑trading services under full U.S. regulatory oversight.
- Charter sought: OCC national trust bank
- Core services: digital‑asset custody, spot trading
- Leadership: Steve Ashley, Chairman of Laser Digital and proposed bank chairman
Industry Context
Laser Digital joins a wave of crypto‑focused firms that have pursued OCC charters since the passage of the stablecoin‑centric GENIUS Act. Recent recipients include Circle, Ripple, BitGo, and Paxos, as well as a “Lord of the Rings”‑themed bank backed by Peter Thiel and Palantir co‑founders.
Other major players such as Coinbase, Sony, and Stripe have also filed charter applications, reflecting the growing appeal of regulated banking status for crypto enterprises.
Implications
Securing a U.S. charter would give Laser Digital direct access to the world’s largest financial market, positioning the firm to compete for institutional digital‑asset business under a trusted regulatory framework.
Analysts view the move as a signal that traditional financial institutions are increasingly willing to integrate crypto services at a scale and level of scrutiny previously reserved for conventional banking.