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Nomuras Laser Digital Secures Conditional OCC Charter to Expand U.S. Digital Asset Custody
On May 29, 2026, Reuters reported that Nomura Holdings’ digital‑asset subsidiary, Laser Digital, received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank charter in the United States. The approval allows Laser Digital to hold and administer both conventional and digital assets under federal supervision, but it does not authorize deposit‑taking or lending. The new entity, named Laser Digital National Trust Bank, will focus on institutional services, including cross‑border payments and collateral management that span crypto and traditional markets.
Laser Digital is a spinoff of Nomura Holdings, a Japanese financial holding company founded in 1925 that provides wealth management, investment banking, and brokerage services across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The subsidiary’s application was filed on January 27, 2026, and the OCC’s conditional approval was announced on May 29. The charter is a national trust bank charter, which falls under the National Bank Act and subjects the institution to OCC supervision.
The approval comes amid a broader trend of legacy banks and financial firms seeking federal charters to integrate digital assets into mainstream banking. Since 2025, at least 15 similar applications have been submitted to the OCC, and Laser Digital joins firms such as Circle, Ripple, Morgan Stanley, and Crypto.com in pursuing national trust bank status. The OCC’s regulatory amendment effective April 1, 2026, clarified the scope of trust‑company activities, replacing the term “fiduciary activities” with “operations of a trust company and activities related thereto” in 12 CFR 5.20.
The move is also supported by recent legislative developments, notably the GENIUS Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2025. The Act establishes standards for stablecoin issuance, requiring issuers to maintain high‑quality liquid reserves and providing a clearer regulatory framework for tokenized assets. According to reports, the legislation has increased institutional confidence in stablecoins and other tokenized securities, encouraging firms like Laser Digital to expand U.S. operations.
Laser Digital National Trust Bank will provide custody of digital assets and U.S. government securities, facilitating cross‑border payments and collateral management for institutional clients. The charter’s conditional nature means final sign‑off is pending; the OCC will issue a final approval once the subsidiary meets all regulatory requirements. Until then, Laser Digital will operate under the OCC’s supervision but will not offer deposit or lending services.
In summary, Nomura’s Laser Digital has secured a conditional national trust bank charter from the OCC, positioning it to serve institutional clients with custody and collateral services that bridge crypto and traditional markets. The approval reflects a growing wave of legacy financial institutions investing in digital‑asset infrastructure, bolstered by clearer regulatory frameworks such as the GENIUS Act. The final sign‑off will determine when Laser Digital can fully launch its U.S. operations, but the conditional approval marks a significant step toward mainstream integration of digital assets in the United States.
Laser Digital is a spinoff of Nomura Holdings, a Japanese financial holding company founded in 1925 that provides wealth management, investment banking, and brokerage services across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The subsidiary’s application was filed on January 27, 2026, and the OCC’s conditional approval was announced on May 29. The charter is a national trust bank charter, which falls under the National Bank Act and subjects the institution to OCC supervision.
The approval comes amid a broader trend of legacy banks and financial firms seeking federal charters to integrate digital assets into mainstream banking. Since 2025, at least 15 similar applications have been submitted to the OCC, and Laser Digital joins firms such as Circle, Ripple, Morgan Stanley, and Crypto.com in pursuing national trust bank status. The OCC’s regulatory amendment effective April 1, 2026, clarified the scope of trust‑company activities, replacing the term “fiduciary activities” with “operations of a trust company and activities related thereto” in 12 CFR 5.20.
The move is also supported by recent legislative developments, notably the GENIUS Act, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2025. The Act establishes standards for stablecoin issuance, requiring issuers to maintain high‑quality liquid reserves and providing a clearer regulatory framework for tokenized assets. According to reports, the legislation has increased institutional confidence in stablecoins and other tokenized securities, encouraging firms like Laser Digital to expand U.S. operations.
Laser Digital National Trust Bank will provide custody of digital assets and U.S. government securities, facilitating cross‑border payments and collateral management for institutional clients. The charter’s conditional nature means final sign‑off is pending; the OCC will issue a final approval once the subsidiary meets all regulatory requirements. Until then, Laser Digital will operate under the OCC’s supervision but will not offer deposit or lending services.
In summary, Nomura’s Laser Digital has secured a conditional national trust bank charter from the OCC, positioning it to serve institutional clients with custody and collateral services that bridge crypto and traditional markets. The approval reflects a growing wave of legacy financial institutions investing in digital‑asset infrastructure, bolstered by clearer regulatory frameworks such as the GENIUS Act. The final sign‑off will determine when Laser Digital can fully launch its U.S. operations, but the conditional approval marks a significant step toward mainstream integration of digital assets in the United States.
