Coinbase Secures Conditional US Trust Charter Approval: Bloomberg

• Federal charter would let Coinbase expand its custody business under a federal framework and conduct new business activities previously unavailable
• The approval comes amid a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment since President Trump's re-election, with regulators easing prior restrictions
• Crypto.com also received similar national trust bank charter approval from the OCC earlier this year

Coinbase Secures Conditional US Trust Charter Approval

Key Development:

Coinbase Global has received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a national trust company charter, according to Bloomberg News reporting on April 2. This represents a significant regulatory milestone for the largest U.S. cryptocurrency exchange.

Business Implications:

Full approval would allow Coinbase to operate as a federally regulated crypto custodian, significantly enhancing its appeal to large institutional investors. Greg Tusar, Coinbase's Vice President of Product Management, indicated the charter would enable the company to:

• Expand its custody business under a federal framework
• Offer new products including tokenized securities
• Issue stablecoins
• Conduct business previously restricted

Tusar emphasized that federal framework authorization is "important" for growing the company's reach and capabilities.

Regulatory Context:

The approval comes amid a broader shift in U.S. crypto regulation following President Donald Trump's re-election. Regulators have been easing prior restrictions and reducing enforcement actions, creating a more crypto-friendly environment. Earlier in 2026, competitor Crypto.com also received similar conditional approval from the OCC for a national trust bank charter.

Market Significance:

This regulatory advancement positions Coinbase to better compete for institutional custody business and expands its product offerings in the evolving digital asset space. The federal charter would provide enhanced legitimacy and regulatory clarity, potentially attracting larger institutional clients who require federally supervised custodial services.

Coinbase did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment on the Bloomberg report.