The OCC granted conditional approval for Laser Digital to operate as a national trust bank, enabling digital and traditional asset custody for institutions.
Nomura’s digital asset subsidiary, Laser Digital, secured conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a US national trust bank charter. The license will allow the firm to hold and manage both conventional and digital assets under federal oversight, targeting institutional clients without deposit-taking or lending activities.
The move follows a surge in regulatory clarity, including legislative efforts like the GENIUS Act, which has bolstered institutional confidence in tokenized assets and stablecoins. At least 15 similar bank charter applications have been submitted to the OCC since 2025, reflecting broader adoption of digital asset infrastructure by traditional financial firms.
Laser Digital National Trust Bank will focus on cross-border payments and collateral management, bridging crypto and traditional markets. The approval underscores Nomura’s push to expand its digital asset services in the US.