Stripe’s Bold Move: Bridge Seeks U.S. Banking Charter to Lead Stablecoin Revolution

Stripe’s Bridge Applies for Federal Bank Charter, Signaling Bold Expansion Into Regulated Stablecoin Industry

In a move that could reshape the U.S. stablecoin and digital payments landscape, Stripe’s blockchain subsidiary, Bridge, has formally applied for a national bank trust charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The charter, if approved, would place Bridge under direct federal regulatory supervision—granting it the authority to issue, manage, and custody stablecoins across the United States within a fully regulated banking framework.

The application represents a major strategic milestone for Stripe as it deepens its commitment to blockchain infrastructure and stablecoin integration in global payment systems. Zach Abrams, Bridge’s co-founder, announced the development Wednesday on X, writing that the company’s long-term vision is to “tokenize trillions in real-world assets under a unified regulatory structure.”

Building Under the GENIUS Act Framework

The filing aligns with the GENIUS Act, the groundbreaking stablecoin legislation signed into law earlier this year, which introduced a comprehensive federal framework for stablecoin issuers. The law aims to integrate stablecoins into the broader financial system while ensuring that consumer protections, liquidity reserves, and operational transparency meet traditional banking standards.

If Bridge secures OCC approval, it would join an elite group of federally chartered crypto custodians—alongside Anchorage Digital, which obtained its charter in 2021. Other major stablecoin issuers, including Circle, Paxos, and Ripple, are also seeking similar regulatory clarity, reflecting the growing race to establish compliance credibility within the U.S.

“This application isn’t just about regulatory permission,” Abrams said. “It’s about building a bridge—literally—between the future of tokenized finance and the oversight that makes it sustainable. Stablecoins will become a core regulated building block of global finance, and we want to help set that foundation.”

Stripe’s Expanding Blockchain Strategy

Stripe’s acquisition of Bridge in 2024 for $1.1 billion marked its most significant move into the blockchain sector. Since then, the company has rapidly expanded the unit’s operations, transforming Bridge into a critical part of its financial ecosystem.

Earlier this year, Stripe introduced Open Issuance, a platform that enables businesses to create custom stablecoins using Bridge’s infrastructure. High-profile clients already using the service include Phantom’s CASH, MetaMask’s mUSD, and Hyperliquid’s USDH, positioning Bridge as a backbone provider for decentralized payment systems.

In addition to stablecoin issuance, Bridge provides token custody, liquidity management, and cross-chain settlement infrastructure, targeting both fintech firms and institutional clients. The OCC charter would enhance these capabilities by allowing Bridge to hold customer assets under federal trust supervision—an essential step toward attracting large financial institutions wary of unregulated crypto operations.

From Payments to Tokenization

Stripe’s interest in stablecoins isn’t new. The company first experimented with Bitcoin payments in 2014 before suspending the service in 2018 due to volatility concerns. However, with the evolution of blockchain technology and the rise of stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies, Stripe reentered the space with renewed ambition.

In June 2025, Stripe partnered with Coinbase and Shopify to enable merchants to accept USDC stablecoin payments, streamlining cross-border transactions and settlement times. That partnership highlighted Stripe’s broader vision—to integrate digital currencies seamlessly into mainstream commerce.

Now, with Bridge’s OCC application, Stripe aims to establish itself as the first major fintech company with a federally regulated blockchain subsidiary, capable of operating across all 50 states without additional licensing hurdles.

“Tokenization is not just a crypto concept—it’s the next evolution of capital markets,” said Abrams. “What we’re doing with Bridge is about making blockchain infrastructure safe, compliant, and scalable enough for trillions of dollars in traditional assets.”

A $300 Billion Market Ready for Regulation

Stablecoins currently represent a $300 billion asset class, dominated by tokens such as Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC. These digital dollars facilitate trillions in annual trading volume and are increasingly used for cross-border remittances, merchant payments, and institutional settlements.

Industry analysts believe Bridge’s entry into the regulated stablecoin sector could accelerate institutional adoption by combining Stripe’s payment network reach with federal-grade compliance.

“The OCC charter gives Bridge—and by extension, Stripe—the credibility to engage directly with major financial institutions,” said David McCormack, a senior fintech analyst at Galaxy Research. “It’s the kind of move that could redefine how stablecoins operate in the U.S. financial system.”

Integration With Stripe’s Global Network

The OCC application also complements Stripe’s internal development of Tempo, its in-house Layer-1 blockchain designed for high-speed, low-cost payment processing. Tempo will be optimized for settlement between stablecoins, bank accounts, and card networks—potentially creating a universal infrastructure layer for internet-based payments.

Bloomberg recently reported that Stripe plans to introduce subscription-based payment services using stablecoins, allowing recurring payments across decentralized and traditional platforms. This innovation could make stablecoins a default medium for digital subscriptions and online commerce.

Regulatory Momentum and Market Impact

The timing of Bridge’s OCC application comes amid renewed U.S. efforts to establish a national framework for digital assets. Federal agencies, including the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve, have expressed growing support for regulated stablecoins as a tool for financial modernization.

For the crypto industry, the move could signify a shift toward legitimacy and deeper integration with traditional finance. “This is how crypto becomes infrastructure,” said one Washington-based policy advisor familiar with the matter. “When companies like Stripe play by the same rules as banks, it changes the conversation entirely.”

While approval from the OCC could take months, the charter would give Bridge access to federal trust powers, allowing it to manage tokenized assets on behalf of clients under one national license—a key advantage over state-by-state money transmission laws.

Looking Ahead

As Stripe’s blockchain ambitions expand, Bridge’s role within the company is poised to grow even more central. With regulatory clarity increasing and institutional demand accelerating, Stripe’s strategy appears focused on building the financial plumbing for the tokenized economy—one that merges the stability of traditional finance with the innovation of blockchain.

If successful, Bridge could become a model for how fintech companies transition into fully regulated digital banks—ushering in a new era where stablecoins and tokenized assets operate seamlessly under federal oversight.

“Stablecoins are the on-ramp to the digital economy,” Abrams said. “Regulation isn’t a barrier—it’s the foundation of trust. And trust is what will take this market from billions to trillions.”

Source: CoinMarketCap

Writer @Ellena

Erlin is an experienced crypto writer who loves to explore the intersection of blockchain technology and financial markets. She regularly provides insights into the latest trends and innovations in the digital currency space.

 

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