Coinbase has secured approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish Coinbase National Trust Company (CNTC), bringing its digital asset custody operations under a federal regulatory framework.

The approval allows Coinbase to expand its custody business under a single national regulatory framework, rather than relying solely on state-level oversight. The company said the decision marks the next stage in the development of custody services it has built over more than a decade.

The federal charter establishes a consistent set of standards for Coinbase’s custody operations and strengthens the regulatory framework governing how it serves institutional and individual clients. As digital assets become increasingly integrated into mainstream financial services, the approval represents another step towards aligning crypto custody with established financial infrastructure.

The development builds on Coinbase’s existing relationship with the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). The company first obtained a BitLicense from the regulator in 2017, followed by approval for Coinbase Custody Trust Company to operate under a New York limited purpose trust charter in 2018.

Coinbase said this regulatory experience helped establish its approach to security, compliance and client protection. Under the new arrangement, CNTC’s trust activities will fall under federal supervision while building on the foundations established through its relationship with NYDFS.

The company has provided digital asset custody services for more than 14 years and counts some of the world’s largest financial institutions among its clients. Custody remains a core part of its business, with operations focused on institutional-grade security, regulatory compliance and asset protection.

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