Nomura's Laser Digital has applied to establish a federally regulated national trust bank in the U.S. called Laser Digital National Trust Bank. The aim is to provide cryptocurrency custody, spot trading, and staking services specifically for institutional clients. This move aligns with a growing trend among crypto companies seeking to obtain trust bank charters, with others like Ripple and Circle already in the mix. If approved by the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Laser Digital would be among a limited number of federally regulated institutions offering these services. The bank would focus on custody for cryptocurrencies and U.S. government securities. Notably, it would not include deposit accounts or securities trading at launch. Purvi Maniar, Laser Digital’s chief legal officer, emphasized the demand from institutional clients for well-governed, regulated frameworks for engaging with digital assets. Currently based in Zurich and licensed in the UAE, Laser Digital already provides various services, including crypto funds and over-the-counter trading. Recently, they introduced a tokenized bitcoin yield-bearing fund. This application for a national trust bank marks a significant step as the industry shifts towards more structured and regulated asset management for digital assets.