The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has formally clarified that U.S. national banks are permitted to hold certain crypto-assets on their balance sheets, but strictly for the purpose of paying blockchain network fees.
In Interpretive Letter 1186, published today, the OCC confirmed that banks may both pay crypto network fees (gas fees) and hold limited amounts of digital assets as principal when those assets are required to support otherwise permissible banking activities.
What the OCC Now Allows
Banks can pay blockchain network fees
If a bank is conducting an activity that is already allowed under existing regulations, for example, settling a tokenized transaction or using a blockchain-based payments system, it may pay the necessary transaction fees on that network.Banks can hold small amounts of crypto-assets as principal
The OCC says banks may maintain on-balance-sheet amounts of crypto “necessary to pay network fees for which the bank anticipates a reasonably foreseeable need.” These holdings must be limited, purpose-driven, and tied directly to specific activities.Banks can hold crypto for testing new platforms.
Institutions developing or evaluating crypto-asset platforms, whether built internally or sourced from third parties, may hold small quantities of digital assets to support testing and operational functionality.
Risk Management Still Required
While the guidance expands clarity for banks experimenting with tokenization and blockchain-based systems, the OCC emphasized that all such activities must be conducted in a safe and sound manner, remain consistent with existing laws, and include appropriate risk controls.
The letter provides further regulatory certainty for banks exploring blockchain applications, especially those involving settlement, tokenized deposits, or digital asset infrastructure, marking another measured step in the U.S. government’s evolving crypto policy landscape.