Treasury: Request for Comment Related to the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act Issued
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a Request for Comment required by the GENIUS Act, which furthers the Administration’s policy of supporting the responsible growth and use of digital assets, as outlined in Executive Order (E.O.) 14178 on “Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology.” Today’s request for comment fulfills Treasury’s obligation pursuant to section 9(a) of…
Agencies Issue Joint Statement on Risk-Management Considerations for Crypto-Asset Safekeeping
Federal bank regulatory agencies today issued a joint statement in their continued efforts to provide clarity on banks’ engagement in crypto-asset-related activities. The statement highlights for banks potential risk-management considerations related to holding crypto-assets on their customers’ behalf, or crypto-asset safekeeping. The joint statement discusses existing risk-management principles that apply to crypto-asset safekeeping and reminds…
OCC: Acting Comptroller of the Currency Discusses Regulatory Agenda
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney E. Hood today discussed his regulatory agenda in remarks at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Capital Markets Summit. In his remarks, Acting Comptroller Hood detailed the Office of the Comptroller’s work to embrace bank-fintech partnerships, expand bank activities involving digital assets, promote financial inclusion and reduce regulatory burden to…
ICBA: ICBA Urges Lawmakers to Ensure Community Bank Concerns Are Addressed in GENIUS Act Before Any Senate Vote
Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey issued the following statement ahead of a scheduled Senate vote on the GENIUS Act, which would establish a federal regulatory framework for stablecoins. “On behalf of the nation’s community bankers, ICBA urges the Senate to ensure the GENIUS Act provides regulatory clarity while…
OCC: Agency Clarifies Bank Authority to Engage in Crypto-Asset Custody and Execution Services
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today clarified permissible bank activities related to crypto-asset custody and execution services. The OCC published Interpretive Letter 1184 to confirm that national banks and federal savings associations may buy and sell assets held in custody at the customer’s direction and are permitted to outsource to third…
Agencies Withdraw Joint Statements on Crypto-Assets
Today, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, together with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (collectively, the agencies), has withdrawn two joint statements regarding banking organizations’ crypto-asset-related activities. This action is intended to provide clarity that banking organizations may engage in permissible crypto-asset activities and provide products and services to persons and firms engaged…
Federal Reserve: Withdrawal of Guidance for Banks Related to Their Crypto-Asset and Dollar Token Activities and Related to Its Expectations for These Activities Announced
The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced the withdrawal of guidance for banks related to their crypto-asset and dollar token activities and related changes to its expectations for these activities. These actions ensure the Board’s expectations remain aligned with evolving risks and further support innovation in the banking system. The Board is rescinding its 2022 supervisory…
OCC: Acting Comptroller of the Currency Discusses Agency Priorities
Acting Comptroller of the Currency Rodney E. Hood today discussed strategic areas of focus for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in remarks at the Exchequer Club. In his remarks, Acting Comptroller Hood detailed the OCC’s efforts to reduce regulatory burden; promote financial inclusion; embrace bank-fintech partnerships; and expand responsible bank activities…
ICBA: ICBA Applauds House Financial Services Committee for Advancing Three Pro-Community Bank Bills to Repeal 1071, Promote De Novo Bank Formation, and Restrict Central Bank Digital Currency
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) commended the House Financial Services Committee for advancing three ICBA-advocated bills to support community banks and the local communities they serve. “ICBA and the nation’s community banks commend the House Financial Services Committee for today’s votes to advance pro-community bank bills to repeal the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s…
FDIC: Process for Banks to Engage in Crypto-Related Activities Clarified
Today, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) issued a Financial Institution Letter (FIL-7-2025) that provides new guidance for FDIC-supervised institutions engaging or seeking to engage in crypto-related activities. The new guidance, which rescinds FIL-16-2022, clarifies that FDIC-supervised institutions may engage in permissible crypto-related activities without receiving prior FDIC approval. The guidance affirms that FDIC-supervised institutions may…