Zerohash Aims for National Trust Bank Charter in the U.S.
Cryptocurrency is a high-risk asset class, and investing carries significant risk, including the potential loss of some or all of your investment. The information on this website is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or gambling advice. Cryptowinx does not endorse any specific exchange or gaming platform. For more details, please read our terms and full disclaimer.
Cryptowinx navigates the digital asset universe with a dynamic, forward-looking vision. Throughout our evolution, we have followed every market cycle, from vertical rises to corrections, always remaining a solid point of reference for our community. Our team is made up of industry experts and analysts who experience the blockchain ecosystem daily: we constantly monitor Bitcoin’s stability, study the expansion of the Ethereum ecosystem, and analyze the new frontiers of crypto casinos. We are committed to absolute editorial integrity, separating the signal from the noise through rigorous fact-checking and multi-perspective news analysis. In a landscape where innovations emerge in moments, our mission is to simplify complex concepts and offer transparency into what is established and what is still experimental.
Learn more Cryptowinx
Digital asset infrastructure company Zerohash has taken a significant step by applying for a national trust bank charter through the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). This move is poised to enhance its capabilities in digital asset custody and settlement services.
Based in Chicago, Zerohash is known for offering crypto infrastructure solutions tailored for banks, brokerages, and financial technology platforms. Among its clientele are notable entities such as the prediction markets platform Kalshi and the asset management giant BlackRock.
A recent report indicated that the proposed trust bank would not only handle custody of digital assets but would also manage fiat currencies and a variety of other assets. In addition, it would provide services such as custodial staking, transfer agent functions, and stablecoin management.
Stephen Gardner, the chief legal officer at Zerohash, has been named as the candidate for the chief executive officer role should the trust bank be established.
This charter application positions Zerohash alongside a growing number of cryptocurrency and fintech firms pursuing federal trust charters during the current administration. In December, the OCC granted conditional trust charters to several companies, including Circle Internet Group, Ripple, BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, and Paxos.
It is worth noting that trust banks have a distinct operational framework compared to traditional banks. They are prohibited from taking deposits or issuing loans, but they are authorized to hold assets in custody.
Earlier in the year, there were discussions regarding a potential acquisition of Zerohash by Mastercard for approximately $2 billion. However, Zerohash opted to remain an independent entity, declining the acquisition offer. Currently, the two companies are exploring the possibility of a strategic investment, which would allow Mastercard to benefit from Zerohashβs technology and client relations while maintaining the latter’s independence.
This development represents a noteworthy trend within the cryptocurrency sector, as firms continue to navigate regulatory landscapes to broaden their services and client offerings. With Zerohash’s intent to secure a national trust bank charter, the firm aims to further solidify its position in the evolving digital finance ecosystem.

Commentaries
Add your comment
Fill in necessary fields and publish