Sony is making a notable move into the U.S. financial sector. Its subsidiary, Connectia Trust, has submitted an application to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) for a National Trust Charter, a banking license that would allow it to offer a range of financial services — with a strong focus on crypto-related operations.
Among its planned initiatives is the issuance of a dollar-backed stablecoin, reflecting the company’s ambitions to bridge traditional finance and digital assets.
Expanding Into Crypto Finance
According to the application, which was received by the OCC on October 7, 2025, Connectia Trust intends to:
- Issue and manage U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins.
- Provide non-custodial digital asset storage services.
- Offer fiduciary asset management to certain affiliated clients.
If approved, Sony would join a growing list of firms leveraging U.S. trust bank licenses to enter the crypto space, including Coinbase and Ripple Labs. These licenses enable companies to offer financial products while simplifying settlement processes and ensuring compliance with U.S. regulations.
Regulatory Context
Obtaining a trust bank license is not without challenges. The American Bankers Association has voiced opposition to granting such licenses to crypto firms, arguing that current regulatory requirements may be too stringent for these companies.
The OCC will collect public comments on the application until November 7, 2025. The outcome will determine whether Sony can legally operate as a fiduciary bank in the United States, paving the way for its stablecoin and crypto asset initiatives.
Industry Significance
While traditional banks dominate the financial landscape, tech giants like Sony are increasingly exploring hybrid models that combine conventional banking with digital finance. If successful, this move could:
- Increase adoption of corporate-backed stablecoins.
- Set a precedent for other non-bank entities seeking fiduciary banking status.
- Accelerate integration between traditional finance and the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Currently, the only entity with a similar OCC-approved license was Anchorage Digital Bank, which faced temporary regulatory suspension in 2022 before resuming operations in August 2025.
Sony’s application highlights the growing trend of tech companies entering the regulated crypto finance space, signaling a new phase of innovation and compliance in the U.S. market.
