Laser Digital, a crypto-focused financial company backed by Japanese heavyweight Nomura, appears to be making a serious play for deeper roots in the US financial system.
According to people familiar with the move, the firm has applied for a US national bank trust charter, a step that would place it squarely under federal oversight and move it closer to traditional finance.
The filing comes as digital asset companies sense a more welcoming regulatory mood in Washington and look to secure long-term footing in the world’s largest financial market.
A Federal License Instead of 50 States
Sources cited by the Financial Times say Laser Digital submitted its application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the regulator that oversees national banks in the US.
If approved, the charter would allow the firm to operate nationwide without needing to chase individual custody licenses in every state.
That kind of streamlined access has become increasingly attractive to crypto firms looking to scale their operations without navigating a patchwork of local rules.
Trading Yes, Deposits No
Laser Digital’s plans appear measured rather than sweeping.
The company reportedly intends to offer spot trading for digital assets but does not plan to accept customer deposits.
In other words, it wants access to the banking framework without becoming a full-service retail bank.
That narrower focus could make the application more palatable to regulators who remain cautious about mixing traditional banking with high-risk crypto activities.
A Long Road to Approval
Securing a national trust bank charter is not a quick process.
According to the Financial Times, OCC approval happens in two stages.
Companies must first receive preliminary approval, then prove they have adequate capital, systems, and governance before final authorization is granted.
The full process can stretch close to a year, and not every applicant makes it through to the finish line.
A Young Firm With Global Ambitions
Laser Digital launched in 2022 and is based in Switzerland, but its ambitions have always been international.
The company has already obtained regulatory approvals in several jurisdictions, including Switzerland and Dubai, and has steadily expanded its digital asset offerings.
Nomura’s backing gives it a level of institutional credibility that many crypto startups lack, which could help as regulators scrutinize its application.
Crypto Firms Line Up for Bank Charters
Laser Digital is joining a growing list of crypto and fintech companies exploring or actively pursuing US bank charters.
The shift comes amid a regulatory climate widely seen as more open to digital assets under President Donald Trump’s administration.
In the past year, Coinbase publicly acknowledged it was considering a federal bank charter, while reports suggested BitGo and Paxos were weighing similar paths.
Even stablecoin issuer Circle faced speculation about a possible application, though it later denied filing one.
From Talk to Actual Approvals
What once looked like speculation has now turned into concrete regulatory decisions.
In December, the OCC conditionally approved five national trust bank charters tied to digital asset firms.
The list included entities connected to Circle, Ripple, BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos.
Those approvals signaled that US regulators were willing, at least cautiously, to let crypto-native companies operate within the banking system.
Trump-Linked Players Join the Race
The momentum hasn’t slowed. More recently, World Liberty Financial, a company associated with President Trump, reportedly submitted its own application for a national bank charter.
Its move added further weight to the idea that crypto and fintech firms increasingly see banking licenses as essential infrastructure rather than optional extras.
Traditional Banks Push Back
Not everyone is cheering this trend.
Established banking groups have raised red flags, warning that granting bank licenses to digital asset companies could weaken long-standing safeguards.
Last July, the American Bankers Association and other industry bodies urged the OCC to tread carefully, citing serious concerns about policy, oversight, and the potential impact on the traditional banking system.
Where This Leaves the Industry
Laser Digital’s reported application reflects a broader shift in crypto’s strategy.
Instead of operating on the edges of finance, more companies are trying to move inside the system, even if that means tighter regulation and slower growth.
Whether regulators ultimately embrace or resist this push will help shape how deeply digital assets are woven into the fabric of US banking in the years ahead.
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