OCC Moves Ahead with World Liberty Trust Charter Review Despite Warren Objection

Highlights:

• OCC says the World Liberty Trust Charter review will follow standard rules despite conflict concerns.
• The regulator rejected calls to pause the bank review tied to the Trump family ownership.
• Crypto firms are gaining clearer access to U.S. banking as the OCC keeps approvals moving.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency will continue reviewing World Liberty Financial’s banking application. The decision follows a request from Senator Elizabeth Warren to pause the process. Warren asked the agency to delay the review until President Donald Trump divests from the firm. Comptroller Jonathan Gould rejected that request in a written response. He said the OCC must act on applications in a timely manner.

🚨 OCC to Review Trump-Backed Bank Charter Application

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency stated it will proceed with its review of World Liberty Financial's bank charter application. The agency said no political or personal financial ties will impact the procedural…

— Crynet (@crynetio) January 24, 2026

Gould replied to Warren’s January 14 letter on Friday. He said Congress requires the agency to process applications under existing standards. He added that the OCC cannot suspend reviews based on political demands. Gould stressed that the charter review will remain apolitical and nonpartisan. He said the agency will apply the same procedures used for other applicants.

Warren has dwelt on ownership disclosures related to World Liberty Financial. She mentioned that Trump and his sons are founders listed. She also cited the magnitude of paper wealth associated with the platform. Warren remarked that these relationships pose a dilemma to federal regulators. She contended that the review ought to be halted until divestment takes place.

The OCC declined to change its approach. Gould said the agency’s role centers on safety compliance and governance standards. He also said personal or political relationships will not shape procedural decisions. According to Gould, the application will face a rigorous review. The agency did not provide a timeline for approval or rejection.

Warren serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee. She has repeatedly criticized crypto firms seeking access to the banking system. She has also accused regulators of ignoring serious conflicts.

Crypto critic Senator Elizabeth Warren asked a U.S. banking regulator to pause the application connected to World Liberty Financial until President Donald Trump divests his business interests in that company.https://t.co/rqiMpFo7sW pic.twitter.com/KivHdDrqou

— ICO Drops (@ICODrops) January 14, 2026

World Liberty Trust Charter Application Focuses on Stablecoin Control

World Liberty Financial submitted its application on January 7. The filing seeks authority to expand the firm’s crypto operations. The approval would allow the company to issue custody and convert its USD1 stablecoin internally. The move would reduce reliance on third-party providers. Those providers currently include firms such as BitGo.

USD1 already facilitates cross-border payments and settlement activity. Multiple users also operate treasury operations through the stablecoin. USD1 has been expanding rapidly since its launch in March 2025. According to market data, the token ranks as the sixth-largest stablecoin. Its supply has topped approximately $4.2 billion.

The application describes the intention to directly regulate the activity of stablecoins. World Liberty suggests that efficiency would be enhanced through internal control. The company also seeks to automate compliance and risk management. The filing does not alter the operation of USD1 today. Rather, it alters the issuance and custody control.

Crypto Firms See More Open Doors at the OCC

Crypto companies have struggled to secure banking approvals in past cycles. Regulators often cited governance gaps and operational risks. That pattern has begun to shift in recent months. The OCC has taken steps to expand regulated crypto access. In December, the agency issued five conditional approvals to Circle, Ripple, Fidelity Digital Assets, BitGo, and Paxos. Those approvals allowed limited banking-related services.