Driver FixRecommendedSound, Wi-Fi or graphics acting up? Check drivers firstFind missing or outdated drivers fast.Check DriversHalloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run Scan×
FREEDOM251

Freedom251 › Blog › CLARITY Act

Can Banks Serve Crypto Companies Without the CLARITY Act?

By Freedom251 Team · · 3 min read

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Yes. U.S. banks do not need the CLARITY Act to serve every crypto company. A bank may provide services when the specific activity is permitted under applicable federal and state law and the bank can manage its risks. Recent law and agency actions clarify some authority and supervisory processes, but they neither approve every crypto business model nor require a bank to accept a particular customer.

Does a crypto company need the CLARITY Act to get a bank account?

No. The CLARITY Act is a proposed market-structure bill, not a general prerequisite for a crypto company to open a bank account. H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, would establish a framework for digital commodities and SEC and CFTC roles, among other provisions. House materials record consideration and passage events in July 2025. The sources available here do not establish its Senate status as of October 4, 2026, so it should not be described as enacted or as definitively stalled.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

An account relationship is distinct from permission to conduct a particular financial activity. Whether a bank can serve a firm depends on what services the firm needs, the bank’s charter and applicable law, and whether the bank can manage the resulting risks.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

What does the GENIUS Act allow banks to do?

The GENIUS Act became Public Law 119-27 in July 2025. At 12 U.S.C. § 5915, it says the chapter does not limit a depository institution, credit union, national bank, or trust company from conducting activities otherwise permissible under applicable state and federal law.

#1 Best Overall
Ledger Nano X - Classic Crypto Wallet with Bluetooth | Compact, go anywhere, 1.1" display. Desktop & iOS/Android compatible
  • Effortlessly build your crypto portfolio via the all in one Ledger Wallet app: buy, sell, send, receive, swap, stake and more across popular blockchains. 15,000+ coins & tokens in a single dashboard. Keep a close eye on the market. Compare service providers. Track performance. Get timely alerts. Build your portfolio with confidence.
  • Enjoy Bluetooth connectivity, iOS access, and hours of battery use with this mobile-first, secure backup signer. Freedom you can depend on.
  • Genuine Check: confirm your signer is authentic during setup with the Ledger Wallet app.
  • Protect your signer: keep it in mint condition at all times with a bespoke Pod or Case to avoid scratches and everyday wear and tear.

The statute gives examples: taking deposits; using distributed-ledger technology for the institution’s records and intrabank transfers; and providing custody of payment stablecoins, private keys, or stablecoin reserves. The key qualification is that the activity must already be permissible under other applicable law. This is not blanket approval for every digital-asset service or business model.

What changed for banks under the OCC and FDIC in 2025?

The agencies addressed different groups of institutions and different supervisory processes. Removing or clarifying a prior-notification step does not remove the bank’s continuing legal and safety obligations.

Rank #2
Sale
TANGEM Crypto Wallet Pack of 3 – Trusted Cold Storage Hardware Wallet | 100% offline; Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs & altcoins; No seed phrase; NFC; Pack of 3, Self custody wallet
  • Proven security at scale: Over 9 years and millions of cards issued with no known remote hacks, while military‑grade EAL6+ security keeps your private keys locked inside the chip. Your cryptocurrencies stay strongly protected from online attackers.
  • Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 14,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
  • Smart backup: Use your second Tangem Wallet as your Backup keys with end‑to‑end encryption; no more papers, pictures. If one card is lost, the remaining can still restore full access, with an optional seed phrase available for advanced users.
  • Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
  • Trusted by 6 million users worldwide (4.9 App Store, 4.8 Google Play) - buy, sell, swap, stake, and spend cryptocurrency directly. The secure offline storage wallet designed for how people actually use crypto wallets
Agency and date Institutions addressed What changed or was clarified What remains
OCC, March 7, 2025 National banks and federal savings associations Interpretive Letter 1183 reaffirmed that they may provide crypto-asset custody, engage in certain stablecoin activities, and participate in independent node verification networks. Activities remain subject to applicable law and risk controls.
FDIC, March 28, 2025 FDIC-supervised institutions The FDIC rescinded FIL-16-2022, ending its prior-notification requirement for permissible crypto-related activities. The FDIC said these institutions may conduct such activities without prior FDIC approval if they adequately manage associated risks. Only permissible activities are covered; risk management and supervision continue.

Does permission mean a bank must accept a crypto customer?

No. These authorities are permissive: they describe activities a bank may conduct when legal and supervisory conditions are met. They do not give an individual crypto company a right to an account or require a bank to onboard it. A bank makes its own institution-specific decision within the law and under its supervisory obligations.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Why do custody and stablecoin services still require controls?

Legal authority does not eliminate operational, compliance, or safety-and-soundness responsibilities. An OCC bulletin in May 2025 reported a joint statement from the OCC, Federal Reserve Board, and FDIC on crypto-asset safekeeping. It underscores that custody requires risk-management controls and continued supervisory attention.

Rank #3
TANGEM Crypto Wallet Pack of 2 – Trusted Cold Storage Hardware Wallet | 100% offline; Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs & altcoins; No seed phrase; NFC, Self custody wallet
  • Seedless by design, nothing to steal: Your private key is generated inside the EAL6+ chip and never leaves it. No seed phrase is shown or typed at setup, so a tampered device, keylogger, or phishing site has nothing to capture. 9+ years, millions of card.
  • Tap once to manage your entire crypto wallet across 90 blockchains - no USB cables or Bluetooth, no batteries, no setup. Access 16,100+ coins & tokens, DeFi, NFTs, and staking instantly from your phone
  • Backup without a seed phrase: Your wallet is copied to 2 backup cards with end-to-end encryption, so there are no words on paper to lose or leak. Keep them in separate places; if one card is lost, the others restore full access. Optional seed phrase for advanced users.
  • Engineered to last up to 25 years: Waterproof (IP69K), shockproof and tested for extreme temperatures from −25°C to 50°C. A durable cold wallet with long‑term protection and independently audited security.
  • Trusted by 6 million users worldwide - buy, sell, swap, stake, and spend cryptocurrency directly. The secure offline storage wallet designed for how people actually use crypto wallets

The FDIC also approved a proposed rule on April 7, 2026, addressing GENIUS Act standards for permitted payment-stablecoin issuers and insured depository institutions, reserve deposits, deposit-insurance treatment, and tokenized deposits. It was a proposal, not a final rule; it should not be treated as a completed regulatory framework.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What should a crypto company clarify with a prospective bank?

The practical answer depends on the requested service, not simply on whether the applicant calls itself a crypto company. Be specific about the activity and its structure:

Rank #4
DCENT Hardware Wallet | Biometric Cold Storage, Bluetooth, Multi-Crypto
  • EAL5+ CERTIFIED SECURE ELEMENT + FINGERPRINT PROTECTION — Your private keys stay encrypted offline on a certified EAL5+ chip, the same security tier used in EMV bank cards. Built by DCENT, securing crypto since 2018. Fingerprint authentication adds a second layer no PIN-only wallet can match.
  • 10,000+ ASSETS NATIVE ON 100+ BLOCKCHAINS — Hold Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Cardano, popular stablecoins (USDT, USDC), and NFTs in one wallet. No third-party apps, no fragmented setup — every supported asset works straight out of the box.
  • TAP-TO-SIGN MOBILE EXPERIENCE — Pair your wallet with the DCENT mobile app over Bluetooth. Manage tokens, review transactions, and access in-app swap features directly from your phone — no cables, no desktop required.
  • WEB3 & dAPP ACCESS VIA METAMASK — Connect to MetaMask and other browser extension wallets to manage NFTs, claim airdrops, and access dApps. A large screen and intuitive 4-button interface keep every transaction clearly visible before you sign.
  • SEAMLESS FIRMWARE UPDATES & 30-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE — Apply security updates without resetting your wallet or migrating funds. Backed by Amazon's 30-day money-back guarantee — your purchase is risk-free.
  • Ordinary deposit account: Explain the company’s business, expected funds flows, counterparties, and the purpose of the account.
  • Payment stablecoins: Distinguish issuance from holding reserves or providing related banking services. The GENIUS Act’s examples concern payment stablecoins and do not settle every digital-asset question.
  • Custody or safekeeping: Identify exactly what the bank would hold or safeguard, including whether the service involves assets, private keys, or reserves, and how controls would work.
  • Distributed-ledger operations: Distinguish internal recordkeeping or intrabank transfers from other network activities, such as independent node verification.
  • Regulatory perimeter: Identify the bank’s charter and relevant federal and state law; the cited agency actions apply to specified institution types and do not resolve every state-law question.

For a U.S. company, the useful question is therefore not simply whether the CLARITY Act has become law. It is whether the specific service is lawful for the bank, under its charter and applicable law, and whether the bank is prepared to manage and supervise the associated risks.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Trezor Safe 7 Crypto Hardware Wallet with Bluetooth for Android/iOS/Desktop | Charcoal Black, Aluminum Unibody, 2,5" TouchScreen, Wireless Charging, Quantum-Ready, IP54, Long-Lasting LiFePO? Battery
  • Dual-chip architecture for maximum protection: The next-gen, fully auditable TROPIC01 chip works alongside a certified EAL6+ Secure Element—completely NDA-free—to deliver radically transparent, industry-leading defense against physical attacks.
  • Quantum-ready security: Get protection against future threats with the first-ever hardware wallet designed with quantum-ready architecture.
  • See every detail with confidence: Our largest high-resolution color touchscreen makes it easy to navigate your assets, review transactions and manage your coins with clarity.
  • Wireless freedom with encrypted Bluetooth control: Manage, buy, swap and stake securely using Trezor Suite on desktop or mobile. Qi2-compatible wireless charging keeps your Trezor powered up. No cables required—security meets convenience.
  • Works seamlessly with Android, iOS and desktop: Connect wirelessly or via USB-C to your phone or computer. Manage your crypto anywhere with our companion Trezor Suite app.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

CLARITY Actcrypto regulationDigital AssetsGENIUS ActU.S. banking

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.