Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE:CRCL), a global financial technology company and stablecoin market leader, has formally submitted an application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank, First National Digital Currency Bank, N.A.

If approved, First National Digital Currency Bank, N.A. would be authorized to operate as a federally regulated trust institution, subject to OCC oversight, and would oversee the management of the USDC Reserve on behalf of Circle’s U.S. issuer. An approval would also further strengthen the infrastructure that supports the issuance and circulation of USDC and would offer digital asset custody services to institutional customers.

A federally regulated trust charter would also help Circle meet expected requirements under the proposed GENIUS Act legislation, which would represent a meaningful step forward in integrating digital assets into the broader U.S. financial system.

“Establishing a national digital currency trust bank of this kind marks a significant milestone in our goal to build an internet financial system that is transparent, efficient and accessible,” said Circle Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO Jeremy Allaire. “By applying for a national trust charter, Circle is taking proactive steps to further strengthen our USDC infrastructure. Further, we will align with emerging U.S. regulation for the issuance and operation of dollar-denominated payment stablecoins, which we believe can enhance the reach and resilience of the U.S. dollar, and support the development of crucial, market neutral infrastructure for the world’s leading institutions to build on.”

Circle’s OCC application builds on the company’s global track record of being first to seek key licenses and authorizations in multiple jurisdictions. In 2015, the company secured the very first NYDFS BitLicense and remains committed to working with NYDFS, the leading digital asset regulator in the U.S. In 2024, Circle became the first global stablecoin issuer to comply with the European Union’s landmark Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework. Most recently, in April of 2025, Circle received in-principle approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of the Abu Dhabi Global Market to operate as a money services provider.