OpenReserve gets preliminary OCC nod for US national bank

This preliminary approval signals a notable regulatory milestone for blockchain-based banking, as it moves tokenized deposits closer to a federally chartered framework. The capital and leverage requirements underscore that the OCC is treating OpenReserve under traditional bank prudential standards, which could set a precedent for how other fintechs are evaluated. The 18-month opening window and 12-month fundraising deadline create tangible execution risk, making the company's ability to secure capital and launch operations the key test. For the broader market, whether this approval accelerates similar applications or prompts stricter scrutiny of digital asset banks remains the open question.