United States of America: Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released Interpretive Letter 1186 on Authority of National Banks to Hold Crypto-Assets as Principal and Pay Crypto-Asset Network Fees as Incidental to a Permissible Banking Activity
Description
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency released Interpretive Letter 1186 on Authority of National Banks to Hold Crypto-Assets as Principal and Pay Crypto-Asset Network Fees as Incidental to a Permissible Banking Activity
On 18 November 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released Interpretive Letter 1186. The letter confirms that a national bank may pay network fees on blockchain networks as an activity incidental to banking. It also allows a b…
Scope
Policy Area
Authorisation, registration and licensing
Policy Instrument
Authorisation of goods or services
Regulated Economic Activity
digital payment provider (incl. cryptocurrencies), other service provider
Implementation Level
national
Government Branch
executive
Government Body
other regulatory body