Bitcoin News Today: "Regulatory Shift Lets US Bancorp Reclaim Crypto Custody Crown"

US Bancorp has resumed its cryptocurrency custody services, positioning itself as a key player in the institutional crypto custody space. This move follows the repeal of a burdensome regulatory framework under the Trump administration, specifically the rescinding of the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 (SAB 121), which had previously made it costly for banks to hold digital assets on behalf of clients. The regulatory shift has allowed banks to expand their offerings, with US Bancorp now providing custody for Bitcoin to registered investment funds and ETF providers [1].

The bank’s custody solution, launched in collaboration with fintech firm NYDIG, is designed for institutional clients and aims to scale as demand for crypto-related services grows. Stephen Philipson, head of US Bank’s institutional division, stated that the service could extend to other cryptocurrencies meeting the bank’s risk and compliance standards. Additionally, the bank is exploring the integration of digital assets into wealth management and consumer payment systems [2]. US Bancorp first introduced its custody service in 2021 but paused it in 2022 due to regulatory constraints. The updated approach aligns with a broader industry trend of traditional banks re-entering the crypto space under more favorable conditions [3].

The regulatory environment has evolved significantly in favor of financial institutions engaging in crypto custody. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has issued guidance allowing banks to offer these services, removing earlier restrictions that had left the market dominated by crypto-native firms such as Coinbase, BitGo, and Anchorage Digital. Other major banks, including BNY Mellon and Citigroup, have also entered the space, with BNY Mellon launching a digital custody platform in 2022 and Citigroup reportedly considering similar offerings [4].

Beyond the US, international banks are also moving into crypto custody. Deutsche Bank, Germany’s largest bank, announced in July 2025 plans to launch its custody service by 2026 in partnership with Bitpanda. This global expansion reflects the growing institutional interest in digital assets and the potential for banks to play a central role in securing and managing these assets.

Research and Markets projects that the crypto custody market will grow from $3.28 billion in 2025 to over $6 billion by 2030, driven by institutional adoption and the diversification of digital asset classes. The study also notes the impact of US trade policies on supply chains for cryptographic modules and hardware wallets, prompting providers to reassess sourcing strategies [5]. As the market matures, US Bancorp’s re-entry into the space highlights the increasing legitimacy of crypto within traditional financial infrastructure.

The renewed interest in crypto custody aligns with broader industry optimism, particularly under the Trump administration’s pro-industry stance. With regulatory clarity and growing institutional demand, US Bancorp is well-positioned to capitalize on what it views as a significant opportunity in digital finance.

Source:

[1] U.S. Bancorp joins Fidelity, BNY Mellon in crypto custody

(https://www.mitrade.com/au/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1093007-20250904)

[2] US Bancorp reboots crypto custody after Trump-era rule

(https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-bancorp-bitcoin-custody-relaunch)

[3] U.S. Bancorp joins Fidelity, BNY Mellon in crypto custody

[4] US Bancorp reboots crypto custody after Trump-era rule

[5] U.S. Bancorp joins Fidelity, BNY Mellon in crypto custody