The federal banking agencies continue to open the channels for regulated entities to engage in digital asset activities.
On May 7, 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) published Interpretive Letter...more
5/12/2025
/ Banking Sector ,
Banks ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Custody ,
Digital Assets ,
Financial Institutions ,
Interpretive Letters ,
New Regulations ,
OCC ,
Outsourcing ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Risk Management
FRB eases crypto restrictions on supervised entities in alignment with the new administration’s support for the digital asset industry....more
5/5/2025
/ Banking Sector ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
FDIC ,
Federal Reserve ,
Financial Regulatory Reform ,
FinTech ,
FRB ,
OCC ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Regulatory Reform
New FDIC guidance permits crypto activities by supervised institutions without prior approval, emphasizing risk management and compliance with applicable laws and regulations....more
In a break from restrictive Biden-era policies, OCC-supervised banks may now engage in crypto without supervisory nonobjection, potentially opening new avenues for innovation....more
Stablecoin regulation is a top priority for lawmakers, and three recent proposals reflect differing perspectives on how to achieve regulatory clarity while balancing safety and innovation....more
The FDIC seeks to stick to its statutory mandate while reducing impediments to fintech, innovation, mergers, bank formation, and efficient supervision....more
The bipartisan bill would provide a federal safe harbor for non-custodial blockchain service providers from state money transmission and digital asset licensing laws.
On March 23, 2023, US House of Representatives...more
3/31/2023
/ Bank Secrecy Act ,
BitLicense ,
Blockchain ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Custody ,
FATF ,
FinCEN ,
Market Participants ,
Preemption ,
Proposed Legislation
A legislative initiative in Illinois would establish licensing and consumer protection requirements for digital asset businesses serving consumers in the state.
On February 21, 2023, the Illinois Department of Financial...more
3/29/2023
/ BitLicense ,
Compliance ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Financial Services Industry ,
FinTech ,
Popular ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Regulatory Authority ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Securities ,
Stablecoins
Custodia Bank was denied Federal Reserve membership, while certain crypto principal activities are deemed presumptively not appropriate for member banks.
On January 27, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve...more
Banking organizations should ensure appropriate risk management, but regulators are skeptical of certain crypto activities as principal.
On January 3, 2023, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal...more
1/12/2023
/ Banking Regulators ,
Banking Sector ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
FDIC ,
Federal Reserve ,
Financial Institutions ,
Joint Statements ,
OCC ,
Risk Assessment ,
Risk Management
Digital asset activities of licensed institutions must be approved and will be assessed for potential safety and soundness risks.
On December 15, 2022, the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) issued...more
The comprehensive framework, which spans multiple reports, aims to spur risk mitigation efforts and potentially a US central bank digital currency.
On September 16, 2022, the White House published a fact sheet described...more
9/30/2022
/ Bank Secrecy Act ,
Biden Administration ,
Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDCs) ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
Executive Orders ,
Financial Regulatory Agencies ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Financial Stability Board ,
Financial Transactions ,
FSOC ,
OECD
The Federal Reserve is taking measured steps to better understand the types of cryptoasset-related activities contemplated by its supervised banking organizations.
On August 16, 2022, the Board of Governors of the...more
8/25/2022
/ AML/CFT ,
Compliance ,
Consumer Protection Laws ,
Cryptoassets ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Cybersecurity ,
FDIC ,
Federal Reserve ,
Financial Institutions ,
Financial Transactions ,
OCC ,
Risk Management ,
Supervision ,
Technology
The RFIA could make it easier for fintechs dealing in digital assets and stablecoins to access Federal Reserve bank services.
Latham & Watkins presents a blog series on the Responsible Financial Innovation Act, which was...more
7/8/2022
/ Banking Sector ,
Blockchain ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Digital Assets ,
FFIEC ,
Financial Services Industry ,
FinCEN ,
FinTech ,
Payment Systems ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Stablecoins
On March 9, 2022, President Biden issued an Executive Order on Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets (Order). In the face of rapid advancement in blockchain technology and its applications, the Order asserts that...more
The US OCC allows banks, with certain restrictions, to hold assets in reserve for stablecoin issuers.
On September 21, 2020, the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued Interpretive Letter #1172 (the...more
The OCC greenlights bank custody of cryptoassets, opening a significant door to mainstream adoption and innovation.
On July 22, 2020, the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued Interpretive Letter #1170...more
As the first of their kind, the proposed regulations may add legitimacy to virtual currencies, but the new regulatory regime could stifle innovation and development.
On July 23, 2014, the New York State Department of...more