After nearly three years of inactivity in the U.S. market, digital asset lender Nexo has officially resumed its services. This comeback follows a challenging period marked by regulatory disputes that led to its exit in late 2022. Now, Nexo is partnering with Bakkt to ensure its offerings adhere to current compliance standards in the United States.
Nexo”s re-entry is significant, especially for the lending sector, which has been under intense scrutiny throughout the previous market cycle. The company is introducing a suite of core products aimed at both retail and institutional clients in the U.S. market.
Key Services Being Offered
The relaunch includes several core offerings:
- Yield Programs: Users can now engage with fixed and flexible yield accounts, which replace the previous “Earn Interest Product” that attracted regulatory attention.
- Crypto-Backed Credit Lines: Customers will have the option to secure loans backed by their cryptocurrency holdings, allowing them to access liquidity without the need to liquidate their assets.
- Integrated Exchange: The platform features built-in trading capabilities that support over 100 digital assets.
- Fiat On/Off-Ramps: Nexo now supports ACH and wire transfers, facilitating smooth dollar deposits and withdrawals.
This relaunch appears to be more compliance-oriented, reflecting lessons learned from previous regulatory challenges.
Regulatory History and Current Environment
Nexo”s exit from the U.S. market in December 2022 was prompted by mounting pressure from federal and state regulators concerning its interest-bearing accounts. In January 2023, the platform settled allegations with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and multiple state authorities for $45 million, related to claims that its interest products constituted unregistered securities. Most recently, on January 14, 2026, Nexo reached a settlement of $500,000 with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation regarding historical lending activities.
Despite these past legal challenges, Nexo Co-founder Antoni Trenchev noted a “more favorable environment for innovation” in the current regulatory landscape as a motivating factor for the company”s return.
Implications for the Crypto Lending Sector
As of early 2026, Nexo manages an estimated $11 billion to $15 billion in assets under management (AUM). Data from the platform indicates that Bitcoin remains the predominant collateral asset, comprising approximately 54% to 60% of total collateral on the platform.
Nexo”s reintroduction could signify a shift towards clearer regulatory frameworks for crypto lending in the U.S. However, the company”s history of settlements serves as a reminder that regulators continue to monitor lending and yield products closely. For now, the message is clear: Nexo is back in the U.S. with a structure that aligns more closely with compliance expectations.
