The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency allows banks to hold and use crypto assets to pay for blockchain network fees.

Mars Finance reports that the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has issued Explanation Letter 1186, confirming that national banks can hold and use crypto assets as principal to pay blockchain network fees (such as "gas fees") to support their legitimate operations. Furthermore, banks can also hold crypto assets for testing self-developed or third-party platforms. The OCC emphasizes that such operations must be conducted in compliance with regulations and under sound business practices. Fox News reporter Eleanor Terrett commented that two years ago, prudential regulators warned banks that directly issuing or holding public blockchain crypto assets was "highly likely not in line with sound banking practices." Now, the U.S. OCC has confirmed that banks can legally hold and use these assets to pay network fees, representing a significant shift in the industry.