More than 20 cryptocurrency companies, including major players like Ripple and Coinbase, are actively seeking or have already obtained charters from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in 2026. This marks a significant shift in strategy as these firms aim to integrate more closely with traditional banking systems. Spencer Bogart, general partner at Blockchain Capital, highlighted this trend as a reversal from the past when fintech companies sought to operate like banks without becoming them. The pursuit of OCC charters is driven by the need for credibility and access to institutional capital, as well as the collapse of the sponsor bank model, which previously allowed banks to serve crypto-linked businesses. An OCC charter provides a single federal license and regulatory oversight, enhancing the credibility of crypto firms as counterparties to large banks and sovereign wealth funds. This move is seen as a way to simplify regulatory compliance and expand market access, despite the charters' limitations on deposit-taking and lending.