The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has clarified that certain cryptocurrency-related activities, including custody services and stablecoin usage, are legally permissible for national banks, provided they implement appropriate risk management practices. Following the OCC's stance, both the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have withdrawn their previous joint statements on crypto assets, signaling a shift toward supporting innovation and clarifying current policies in the banking sector. This regulatory easing extends to the Federal Reserve relaxing restrictions on banks' cryptocurrency and stablecoin operations. Meanwhile, Bitcoin showed modest gains amid tempered expectations for a U.S.-China trade agreement, which Treasury officials suggest could take several years to finalize. Additionally, government-affiliated funds have increased Bitcoin holdings despite individual investor sell-offs, and Russia plans to open a cryptocurrency exchange targeting ultra-wealthy investors, according to RBC News.