The 2020 U.S. banking interpretation confirming national banks may provide cryptocurrency custody services.
OCC Interpretive Letter 1170 is best understood as part of a system rather than as an isolated definition. Its related coordinates show the mechanisms, incentives and historical records that give the term practical meaning.
OCC Interpretive Letter 1170 belongs to the documented history and social layer around Bitcoin. Primary records can establish what was published, built or decided; motives, influence and later interpretation should remain separate from those verifiable facts.
Understanding OCC Interpretive Letter 1170 helps distinguish a verifiable Bitcoin mechanism or historical record from slogans, products and market narratives.
For the clearest picture, read this entry together with Bank bitcoin custody, Institutional bitcoin custody, Qualified custodian. The reverse links also lead from Bank bitcoin custody.
Linked to related atlas coordinates
Grounded in a source record
Explains function and trade-offs
Part of the open Bitcoin knowledge graph