U.S. OCC Finds Banks Denied Services to Legal Crypto Firms

Preliminary review by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency indicates nine major banks limited access to lawful industries, prompting a pledge to stop such practices.

Summary

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the U.S. federal banking regulator, issued preliminary findings showing nine major banks restricted or rejected services to lawful businesses, including cryptocurrency firms, between 2020 and 2023 based on industry classification. OCC head Jonathan Gould committed to ending what he termed the financial weaponization of banking services.

Terms & Concepts
  • Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC): A U.S. federal regulator overseeing national banks to ensure they operate safely and comply with applicable laws.
  • Financial weaponization: The practice of using financial services or access to banking as a tool to target or disadvantage specific industries or entities.
  • Cryptocurrency firms: Businesses engaged in the development, trading, or management of digital currencies and blockchain-based assets.