Laser Digital, the digital asset subsidiary of Nomura Group, applies to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to form Laser Digital National Trust Bank for institutional digital asset custody and spot trading.
Laser Digital Files OCC Application to Form US National Trust Bank

Laser Digital Americas Group Holdings Inc. filed a de novo application with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on January 27, 2026 in New York to form Laser Digital National Trust Bank (LDNTB), a proposed federally regulated National Trust Bank focused on custody and spot trading of digital assets and custody of U.S. government securities.
If approved, LDNTB will serve institutional customers across the U.S., offering custody of digital assets integrated with spot trading of crypto and fiat currencies and staking of eligible custodied assets; LDNTB currently has no plans to trade securities or seek permission for depository banking services.
Steve Ashley, Chairman & Co-founder of Laser Digital and proposed Chairman of LDNTB, said, “Institutional digital asset markets are entering a new phase defined by scale, regulation, and durability,” and Purvi Maniar, Chief Legal Officer and proposed President, emphasized the OCC’s federal oversight as aligning with institutional custody and fiduciary risk frameworks; the application is subject to OCC approval and future availability will depend on regulatory clearance.
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🧭 FAQs
• What did Laser Digital apply for in the United States? Laser Digital filed to form a federally regulated National Trust Bank with the OCC in the U.S.
• When and where was the application filed? The de novo OCC application was filed on January 27, 2026, in New York.
• What services will LDNTB offer to U.S. institutions? LDNTB proposes custody of digital assets and U.S. government securities, spot crypto/fiat trading, and staking.
• Is LDNTB approved to operate yet in the U.S.? Approval is pending OCC review and the bank’s launch is subject to jurisdictional regulatory approval.













