Erebor has obtained preliminary conditional approval for a national bank charter, positioning itself to target the innovation economy and become a cornerstone for crypto and AI startups.
Summary
- Erebor has received preliminary conditional approval from the OCC to operate as a national bank.
- Backed by Peter Thiel, Palmer Luckey, and Joe Lonsdale, Erebor aims to serve crypto, AI, and defense startups.
- The OCC’s decision signals a policy shift toward allowing “safe and sound” digital asset activities within federally chartered banks.
According to a press release dated Oct. 15, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted Erebor Bank preliminary conditional approval for a national bank charter.
In his statement, Comptroller Jonathan V. Gould said Erebor is the first de novo bank to receive such approval since he took office in July, framing the decision as a cornerstone of his commitment to a “dynamic and diverse federal banking system.”
Gould added that this move demonstrates the OCC will not erect “blanket barriers” to banks engaging in digital asset activities, provided they operate in a “safe and sound manner.”
“Permissible digital asset activities, like any other legally permissible banking activity, have a place in the federal banking system if conducted in a safe and sound manner. The OCC will continue to provide a path for innovative approaches to financial services to ensure a strong, diverse financial system that remains relevant over time,” Gould said.
A new kind of national bank takes shape
Founded in 2025 by tech entrepreneurs Palmer Luckey and Joe Lonsdale, Erebor draws backing from Founders Fund, Haun Ventures, and Peter Thiel. The firm’s stated mission, according to its OCC filing, is to serve the “United States innovation economy,” targeting firms in digital assets, artificial intelligence, defense, and advanced manufacturing.
Erebor said its main office will be located in Columbus, Ohio, with a secondary branch in New York City, placing it at the intersection of Middle America’s banking infrastructure and the country’s financial capital.
Notably, Erebor’s model breaks from tradition by declaring its intention to hold certain cryptocurrencies directly on its own balance sheet while also providing banking solutions to payment processors, venture-backed startups, and trading firms.
Upon final approval, Erebor will join the ranks of more than 1,000 institutions in the federal banking system. This network is a financial behemoth, holding more than $16 trillion in combined assets and managing about $85 trillion in custody and fiduciary control. Erebor’s entry into this club is symbolic, representing a potential shift in how this vast pool of institutional capital can interact with the digital asset space.
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