Sony applies to the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a "crypto bank license," targeting stablecoin issuance and custody.

Japanese tech giant Sony Group Corporation has officially submitted an application for a national banking license to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) through its subsidiary Connectia Trust National Association (Connectia Trust N.A.), aiming to establish its own crypto bank. (Background: Crypto payments landing on PS5? Circle collaborates with Sony on L2 “Soneium” to introduce USDC) (Additional context: Sony Chain Soneium ecosystem overview: 60+ early projects and Airdrop opportunities compiled) In the context of an increasingly relaxed and clearer regulatory environment in the United States, Japanese tech giant Sony Group Corporation has also officially submitted an application for a national banking license to the OCC through its subsidiary Connectia Trust National Association (Connectia Trust N.A.), aiming to establish its own crypto bank. Sony's move: Connectia Trust focuses on stablecoins and custody. The business design of Connectia Trust deliberately avoids traditional businesses with high regulatory thresholds such as lending and deposits, focusing on three main aspects: first, the issuance and management of USD stablecoins; second, managing reserve assets that support the value of stablecoins; and third, providing non-trust digital asset custody services. Market estimates suggest that by the first quarter of 2026, the total market capitalization of stablecoins will rise from the current $312 billion to $360 billion, making Connectia Trust's entry at this time well-positioned to take advantage of the industry's growth inflection point. Regulatory tailwind: GENIUS Act changes the game. Sony's decision to enter the crypto space and position itself in stablecoins is undoubtedly driven by improvements in the regulatory environment. Earlier this year, the U.S. stablecoin bill, the GENIUS Act, was officially enacted, establishing a federal-level regulatory framework for stablecoins for the first time, allowing insured deposit institutions to participate in custody, settlement, and tokenization, while also increasing AML and customer identification requirements. The clarity of the bill directly reduces the compliance costs for companies, explaining why companies like Stripe, Coinbase, Paxos Trust, and Circle have recently applied to the OCC for crypto banking licenses. Comprehensive layout: Investment in Bastion connects the base to the end. Sony's footprint is not limited to licensed institutions. Public data shows that Sony Group's venture capital arm, Sony Innovation Fund, has invested in the compliant stablecoin infrastructure provider Bastion, which focuses on providing stablecoin issuance and management tools for corporate clients, corresponding to the new demands of the GENIUS Act. Furthermore, Sony Electronics Singapore has begun accepting USDC payments, allowing stablecoins to flow into the retail sector. From infrastructure, compliance platforms to final payment scenarios, Sony is building a digital asset network that connects upstream and downstream. Related reports: From Luna to USDe, why do algorithmic stablecoins fall into the “death spiral” again? Taiwanese stablecoin infrastructure company Odin is going public in the U.S.! Directly listing on NASDAQ on 10/16, stock code OWLS. Latest interview with Arthur Hayes and Tom Lee: The future of DAT, stablecoins, and prediction markets. This article was first published on BlockTempo, the most influential blockchain news media.