Federal Reserve Removes Regulatory Hurdle for Crypto Banking Services
The Federal Reserve has eliminated the 'reputation risk' assessment from its bank examination framework, removing a significant barrier for financial institutions seeking to offer cryptocurrency services. This policy shift aligns the Fed's supervisory approach with other US banking regulators, potentially accelerating institutional adoption of digital assets.
Previously, banks faced heightened scrutiny when engaging with crypto-related activities due to perceived reputational risks. The revised examination standards now allow traditional and crypto-native institutions to be evaluated under equivalent criteria. Market participants anticipate this regulatory clarity may spur innovation in crypto-financial products and services.