Circle, a prominent issuer of stablecoins, has submitted an application to establish a national trust bank within the United States. Upon approval by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Circle will gain the ability to manage its own reserves and hold cryptocurrency assets on behalf of institutional clients. This strategic initiative could potentially pave the way for greater acceptance of stablecoins by traditional financial institutions and retailers alike. Earlier in the month, Circle achieved a remarkable valuation of nearly $18 billion following a successful initial public offering (IPO).