U.S. Regulators Mandate Enhanced Crypto Asset Custody Rules for Banks

Key Points:

  • Regulators demand enhanced crypto custody compliance from U.S. banks.
  • Bank rules emphasize risk management and technical competence.
  • Statement aligns existing laws, not introducing new regulations.

The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Reserve, and FDIC released a joint statement on July 15, 2025, emphasizing banks’ adherence to existing crypto asset custody rules.

Strengthened by the statement’s stress on risk assessment, this measure spotlights enhanced regulatory clarity and bank authority over crypto custody.

Banks Directed to Strengthen Crypto Asset Risk Management

The U.S. regulatory agencies reminded banks of their responsibility to enforce robust internal controls over crypto assets. The Federal Reserve Document on Banking Regulatory Measures specifies improved risk management and security measures, encompassing anti-money laundering, cybersecurity, and third-party custodians.

Existing regulatory frameworks govern the new requirements. By clarifying these, banks now face an expectation to broaden service offerings, aligning with already established financial protocols. The announcement could boost institutional adoption of decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions over time.

Impact on Bitcoin and Institutional DeFi Adoption Forecasted

Did you know? Historically, fragmented guidance often deterred banks from engaging with crypto. This coordinated directive could mirror trends seen during the 2020 crypto adoption surge, offering more confidence to U.S. financial institutions.

According to CoinMarketCap, Bitcoin (BTC) currently trades at $119,776.68 with a market cap of $2.38 trillion. Bitcoin’s trading volume surged by 268.53% in the past 24 hours. It has appreciated 43.50% over the last 90 days with a circulating supply nearing 19.89 million BTC.


bitcoin-daily-chart-2196
Bitcoin(BTC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 00:06 UTC on July 15, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap

Coincu research team anticipates that this statement will drive competitive shifts within financial services, encouraging banks to strategically adapt to digital asset demands. This may lead to technological advancements and a redefined approach within regulatory landscapes for crypto custodianship.

Source: https://coincu.com/348697-us-regulators-enhance-crypto-custody/