Stripe's Bridge Wins US Approval for Stablecoin Bank Charter

Edgen Crypto

·Feb 17 2026, 21:19

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Key Takeaways

Payments giant Stripe's stablecoin subsidiary, Bridge, has secured conditional approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank. This major regulatory step, taken on February 17, 2026, positions Bridge to issue and manage stablecoins under a direct federal framework, intensifying competition in the regulated digital dollar market.

Stripe's Bridge receives conditional approval from the U.S. OCC for a national trust bank charter, a key step in its strategy.
The charter allows Bridge to issue stablecoins and custody assets under direct federal oversight, validating its $1.1 billion acquisition in 2024.
This move places Bridge alongside other major players like Circle and Ripple, which received similar approvals in December, signaling growing regulatory clarity for stablecoins.

Bridge Secures OCC Approval Following $1.1B Acquisition

On February 17, 2026, Bridge, the stablecoin infrastructure firm acquired by payments giant Stripe for $1.1 billion in 2024, received conditional approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The decision allows Bridge to organize a national trust bank, enabling it to issue stablecoins, custody digital assets, and manage reserves under direct federal supervision. This regulatory milestone signals a significant step in Stripe's strategy to embed itself within the federally regulated digital currency landscape.

Federal Framework Attracts Major Crypto Firms

Bridge's move follows a series of similar conditional approvals granted by the OCC. In December, major crypto players including Circle, Ripple, Paxos, and BitGo secured initial charters, while Erebor Bank obtained a conditional national bank charter in October. This trend highlights a broader industry push to operate within the U.S. banking system, aligning with the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act. While regulators have yet to finalize the specific rules mandated by the act, these firms are positioning themselves to lead the market for regulated digital dollars.