World · Regulation · United States ·
US regulator denies Wise bank charter, citing money-laundering risk
The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency denied UK fintech company Wise's application for a national bank charter, citing risks related to money laundering and illicit finance. Wise plans to resubmit its application under the new GENIUS Act framework.
Why it matters for the crypto market
The denial signals that US regulators are still applying strict financial crime standards to fintech and crypto-adjacent firms seeking banking licenses, even as similar charters have been granted to digital asset companies recently.
Related signals
- Bitcoin climbs back above $64,000 as Microsoft earnings lift US tech stocks United States · 2026-07-30
- Robinhood reports record quarter overall but crypto trading revenue falls 38% in a year United States · 2026-07-30
- Bitcoin holds near $64,000 as Fed rate decision arrives with hike risk live United States · 2026-07-29
Part of CryptoArrow World, a running map of how crypto's real-world access is widening or narrowing. Every signal, archived. Informational publication, not investment advice.