Circle National Trust Received Federal Charter Approval

The firm operates as a qualified custodian for digital assets under regulatory oversight from the OCC.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Investing

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring a stylized metallic vault key and secure hardware block, representing federal regulatory oversight of digital custody. — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted Circle National Trust a federal charter to operate as a qualified digital asset custodian. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you trust regulated banks to provide secure custody for decentralized digital assets like Bitcoin?

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued regulatory approval for Circle National Trust on December 12, 2025. This national trust bank charter officially became effective on July 24, 2026.

Why it matters

The entity provides fiduciary custody services for digital assets without engaging in traditional lending or deposit-taking. This structure allows the firm to act as a qualified custodian for its blockchain-based assets.

The firm maintains a 1:1 backing ratio for cirBTC relative to native Bitcoin. This reserves-based structure is designed to separate held assets from corporate holdings.

The players

Circle National Trust

A national trust bank that provides fiduciary custody for digital assets and maintains reserves for tokenized Bitcoin.

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

A federal agency that charters and regulates national banks to ensure they operate in a safe and sound manner.

The details

Circle National Trust functions as a national trust bank that holds native Bitcoin backing for the cirBTC token. Assets are safeguarded through a Bermuda affiliate, while counterparties can verify reserves using Chainlink Proof of Reserve and public Bitcoin addresses. The firm does not accept deposits or extend loans, limiting its business model to fiduciary custody.

December 12, 2025: The OCC issued regulatory approval for the bank.
July 10, 2026: Circle announced the trust bank approval.
July 24, 2026: The trust bank charter became effective.

Money Landscape

This development follows the long-standing regulatory framework provided by the National Bank Act. It represents a formalization of custody services within the established federal banking system.

This structure affects institutional-grade custody protocols rather than individual retail accounts. Investors should consult with a financial professional when assessing the risks associated with digital asset custody services.

The takeaway

The firm operates under federal oversight as a qualified custodian for its digital assets. Investors interested in blockchain-based applications should monitor public reserve verifications to track the status of 1:1 backing assets.