OCC Chief Pledges an End to Banking Discrimination Against Web3

Times change. Once, American banks, bastions of fiat, closed their doors to crypto companies, considering them too risky. But since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the lines are shifting. The former president, now a driver of “crypto-politics,” pushes his pawns even into the most conservative institutions. Now, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), one of the major banking regulators in the United States, announces the end of “debanking.” A major upheaval is emerging: cryptos are no longer intruders, but now tolerated guests at the banquet of traditional finance.

Crypto debanking: Gould breaks the taboo and Trump imposes his agenda

During a CoinDesk event in Washington, Jonathan Gould, head of the OCC, acknowledged that crypto companies’ debanking was real, echoing a criticism already made by Trump. This acknowledgment sounds like a late confession and a turning point for the ecosystem, long marked by a two-speed system where financial exclusion served as a silent weapon against innovation.

Behind this break, a clear political will: that of Donald Trump. His signing of Executive Order 14331, “Guaranteeing Fair Banking For All Americans,” mandated the OCC to eliminate any banking discrimination based on crypto activity. The official statement is clear: 

The OCC is taking steps to end the weaponization of the financial system. We are working to root out bank activities that unlawfully debank or discriminate against customers on the basis of political or religious beliefs, or lawful business activities. If and when the OCC identifies such activity, it will take action to end it.

Jonathan V. Gould – Source: OCC

In practice, the OCC is already investigating the nine largest banks in the country. The goal: to identify those which might have closed accounts without legal justification. A small revolution in the American banking landscape, where cryptos move from parias to clients under regulatory protection.

Between innovation and caution: the new banking deal

Jonathan Gould assures that supporting the crypto ecosystem does not mean sacrificing financial stability. According to him, innovation does not oppose safety nor the system’s solidity, as long as it is strictly regulated.

In short, crypto and banking safety can coexist, provided there are clear rules and rigorous supervision.

Within this framework, the OCC acts on several fronts. Vague mentions of “reputation risk” have been removed from banking manuals. The regulator is also working on enforcing the GENIUS Act, which makes it easier for stablecoin issuers to obtain a banking charter. 

BSA/AML controls, often used as an excuse to block crypto actors, will be revised to avoid abuses.

This new climate is already attracting institutional investors’ attention. By establishing an understandable framework, the OCC seeks to reassure banks and funds, which had hesitated so far to dive into the Web3 universe. The idea is simple: less arbitrariness, more transparency, thus more trust.

Towards a crypto-friendly finance: a pivotal moment for the USA

This shift is not limited to symbolism. Industry analysts already see a concrete turning point for the markets’ future. Crypto companies, long hindered by banking obstacles, finally obtain clear regulatory recognition.

Some figures to remember:

• 9 major banks already targeted by the OCC for investigation;
• 239 million USD given by Elon Musk to support Trump’s crypto-friendly campaign;
• 135 million USD injected via the Fairshake PAC to promote pro-crypto candidates;
• 21 million USD in BTC donated by the Winklevoss brothers in August 2025.

The United States is reshaping its relationship with cryptos under the impetus of Trump and the OCC. The government is not only acting on regulation: it actively promotes the technology to financial institutions. The Treasury, through the Fed, has already announced a relaxation of its control over banks active in crypto. Between eased supervision and strong encouragements, Washington places crypto at the heart of its economic future.