Nomura Holdings’ digital asset subsidiary, Laser Digital, has applied for a U.S. national trust bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This move aims to expand its institutional crypto services across the United States. If approved, the charter would allow Laser Digital to operate nationwide without the need for state-by-state licenses, focusing on institutional custody, integrated spot trading, and staking of digital assets. ([gate.com](https://www.gate.com/news/detail/18447256?utm_source=openai))
Leading this initiative is Purvi Maniar, Laser Digital’s Chief Legal Officer and the proposed president of the new bank. Maniar emphasized that institutional clients are seeking structures that are familiar, well-governed, and regulator-supervised, and the National Trust Bank framework offers such a model. ([ainvest.com](https://www.ainvest.com/news/nomura-laser-digital-applies-national-trust-bank-license-expand-crypto-custody-services-2601/?utm_source=openai))
Laser Digital has been active in the digital asset space, offering crypto funds, over-the-counter trading, and treasury management tools. Recently, it introduced the Laser Digital Bitcoin Diversified Yield Fund, expanding its portfolio. ([ainvest.com](https://www.ainvest.com/news/nomura-laser-digital-applies-national-trust-bank-license-expand-crypto-custody-services-2601/?utm_source=openai))
This development reflects a broader trend of financial institutions seeking federal oversight in the crypto sector. Firms like Ripple, Circle, BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos have received conditional approvals for national trust bank charters, indicating a growing interest in operating under federal regulation. ([ainvest.com](https://www.ainvest.com/news/nomura-laser-digital-applies-national-trust-bank-license-expand-crypto-custody-services-2601/?utm_source=openai))
Nomura’s commitment to digital assets is further evidenced by its involvement in Komainu, a regulated institutional-grade digital asset custody service. In 2022, Komainu appointed Matthew Chamberlain, former CEO of the London Metal Exchange, as its Chief Executive Officer, highlighting the firm’s dedication to bridging traditional and decentralized finance. ([nomuraholdings.com](https://www.nomuraholdings.com/en/news/nr/news20220121103014.html?utm_source=openai))
As the regulatory landscape for digital assets continues to evolve, Nomura’s strategic moves position it to meet the growing demand for secure and compliant crypto services among institutional clients.