Community Bankers Sue OCC Over National Trust Charters for Crypto Firms

The Independent Community Bankers of America has sued the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in federal court, Decrypt and FinanceFeeds reported. The lawsuit challenges the regulatory agency's legal authority to issue national trust bank charters to cryptocurrency companies. [1][4]

The complaint was filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia under the Administrative Procedure Act, Decrypt reported. Banking group representatives argue that the OCC's chartering practices create a side door into the financial system for crypto firms without applying the safety standards required for traditional banks. [1]

According to FinanceFeeds, the trade association is challenging 21 specific trust charters, 13 of which are directly connected to cryptocurrency enterprises. The legal action focuses on a March 2, 2026 final rule issued by the banking regulator, Decrypt reported. [1][4]

The lawsuit contends that the OCC has exceeded the boundaries set by Congress. The court will determine whether the regulator acted within its statutory limits when expanding national trust charters to digital asset companies. [1]