So, are traditional banks about to become the next crypto trading platforms? Not quite. The OCC's recent Interpretive Letter 1188—dropped on December 9, 2025—clarifies something important: national banks aren't being greenlit to operate as full-scale digital asset exchanges. What they're actually being positioned as are regulated go-betweens. Think of it more like banks getting permission to facilitate access rather than run the show themselves. The guidance carves out a specific lane for these institutions, keeping them within the regulatory framework while letting them dip their toes into crypto services. It's a controlled expansion, not a free-for-all.