Trump Plans Lawsuit Against JPMorgan Chase Over Debanking

TLDR

• Trump’s lawsuit targets JPMorgan for alleged debanking actions.
• Operation Chokepoint 2.0 pressures banks against crypto firms.
• Regulatory shifts impact financial institutions’ crypto activities.

Donald Trump has announced plans to take legal action against JPMorgan Chase, expressing intentions to sue the banking giant for its alleged role in “debanking” related to Operation Chokepoint 2.0. Trump’s intention to sue, however, has not been confirmed through his official communications channels, such as Twitter/X or his websites.

The situation arises against the backdrop of Operation Chokepoint 2.0, an alleged effort by federal banking regulators under the current Biden administration to pressure banks to cut services to crypto firms and individuals. Such actions, it is suggested, have been detrimental to the U.S. digital asset industry.

Entities and Individuals Mentioned in Context

Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, announced the termination of Operation Chokepoint 2.0, describing it as a campaign to pressure banks into cutting ties with crypto businesses. While Trump’s lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase is part of the widespread discussion, no direct statement regarding this lawsuit exists in any primary records.

JPMorgan Chase has been referenced in association with debanking actions. Nevertheless, there is no evidence in their official channels supporting their involvement in such activities. Fred Thiel, CEO of Marathon Digital Holdings, has testified that his company experienced financial exclusion due to discriminatory banking practices targeting crypto firms.

Statements on Operation Chokepoint 2.0

Marc Andreessen described Operation Chokepoint 2.0 as “trickle down privatized domestic sanctions” during a podcast. Additionally, Brian Quintenz, former CFTC Commissioner, attributed the shadow debanking of crypto personal accounts to the examination activities of the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

Federal regulators, including the OCC, FDIC, and Federal Reserve, issued guidance impacting crypto activities, such as the withdrawal of OCC Interpretive Letter 1179. Subsequently, IL 1179 guidance was rescinded via OCC Interpretive Letter 1183, effectively altering prior directives. Relevant documents and additional readings can be found in a detailed overview of the situation.

Regulatory Impacts on Financial Institutions

Amidst these regulatory shifts, some financial institutions have experienced pauses in their crypto-related activities. The FDIC issued “pause” letters to 23 banks, as noted in an October 2024 report by the Office of Inspector General. Moreover, the House Financial Services Committee examined the effects of Operation Chokepoint 2.0 during a hearing held on February 6, 2025.

In July 2025, the Federal Reserve, FDIC, and OCC collectively rescinded previous crypto risk guidance. This decision followed the withdrawal of joint statements and enforcement actions. More information on recent legislation and its implications can be retrieved from the House Financial Services Committee documentation.

The Broader Impact on Crypto Assets

Crypto assets like Bitcoin appeared to be impacted by the overall climate shaped by Operation Chokepoint 2.0. While BTC’s market cap noted a decline in previous years due to environmental and regulatory pressures, specific details regarding other assets, including Ethereum and various altcoins, have not been specified.

The Silvergate and Signature Bank failures, previously linked to regulatory caps on crypto deposits, showcased the ongoing consequences for financial entities involved with digital assets. Documented in the Financial Services Committee report, custodial and settlement networks in the crypto space were effectively closed.