Laser Digital Aims for US National Trust Bank: What Does It Mean for Hedera ? AllinCrypto January 29, 2026
Laser Digital, the digital asset section of the Nomura Group, has applied to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to establish Laser Digital National Trust Bank.
If approved, the charter would allow Laser Digital to operate as a federally regulated trust bank with a focus on digital assets, offering institutional-grade custody and spot trading in crypto, including staking services.
With Nomura on the Hedera Council, the move shows a push toward operating at higher regulatory standards in a finanical field that’s rapidly expanding.
Laser Digital: Digital Finance at Scale
According to Laser Digital, the application is a natural evolution of years spent building compliant, durable infrastructure for institutional clients.
The National Trust Bank structure would be able to provide firms with a familiar, regulatory framework that aligns with how institutions currently manage custody and risk.
Importantly, Laser Digital does not plan to take deposits or trade securities, keeping a focus only on digital asset market infrastructures instead of traditional retail banking.
Steve Ashley, Chairman & Co-founder of Laser Digital, and proposed Chairman of Laser Digital:
“Institutional digital asset markets are entering a new phase defined by scale, regulation, and durability. For several years we have invested in building infrastructure that meets the standards of the world’s most demanding institutions. Pursuing a National Trust Bank charter is a natural advancement of that journey.”
What This Could Mean for Nomura and Hedera Hashgraph
For Nomura, the application can boost the firm’s position as a more serious long-term player in digital finance and web3.
A working charter would give the group a regulated foothold that’s able to serve institutions on the lookout for compliant access to crypto.
It also complements Nomura’s strategy around tokenization, digital custody, and on-chain markets, allowing the firm to integrate digital assets more deeply into its existing global financial services.
Nomura’s role as a Hedera Governing Council member makes the development more eye-opening due to Hedera Hashgraph’s existing institutional connections and Laser Digital being the digital arm of Nomura.
Although there’s no direct Hedera integration that has been announced, a federally regulated digital asset trust bank operated by a Hedera Council member could create new future opportunities around tokenized assets, custody, and settlement infrastructures built on DLTs.
If Laser Digital expands into tokenization or on-chain settlement, Hedera’s governance, compliance-friendly design, and enterprise focus could position it as a natural fit for various future and upcoming use cases, especially in AI autonomous trading.
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