Stripe crypto unit Bridge receives preliminary approval for national trust bank
Bridge has received conditional approval from the OCC to launch a national trust bank. The Stripe unit will provide digital asset custody and stablecoin services.
Insights:
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has granted conditional approval to Bridge, a stablecoin infrastructure provider owned by Stripe, to establish a national trust bank in the United States 
US. This regulatory milestone, announced on February 17, 2026, represents a significant step toward integrating digital assets into the federal banking system. If Bridge obtains final OCC approval, it would be authorized to provide custody of digital assets, manage stablecoin reserves, and handle stablecoin issuance and orchestration within a regulated framework.
US. This regulatory milestone, announced on February 17, 2026, represents a significant step toward integrating digital assets into the federal banking system. If Bridge obtains final OCC approval, it would be authorized to provide custody of digital assets, manage stablecoin reserves, and handle stablecoin issuance and orchestration within a regulated framework.The potential role of the new entity involves supporting enterprises, fintechs, and financial institutions that utilize digital dollars. This development follows preliminary OCC approvals granted to other crypto businesses in December, situating the action within a broader regulatory trend. Bridge was acquired by Stripe in October 2024 in a transaction reported as sizable, a move that significantly bolstered the parent company's crypto capabilities.
