Trump Pushes Digital Assets Into U.S. Banking System

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-05-20Last updated on 2026-05-20

Abstract

President Trump has issued an executive order directing federal agencies to revise financial regulations to integrate digital assets and fintech into the traditional banking and payments system. The policy aims to streamline rules, lower barriers to entry, and encourage collaboration between fintech firms, banks, and regulators. A key directive is for financial regulators to identify and amend any rules that unfairly prevent fintech companies from partnering with federally regulated banks. Specifically, the order requires the Federal Reserve Board to evaluate its system for providing payment accounts and services to non-bank financial institutions. This review includes examining whether Federal Reserve banks can issue such accounts independently, which could benefit entities like Wyoming's Special Purpose Depository Institutions (SPDIs). The move follows recent limited master account access granted to the crypto exchange Kraken and ongoing Fed efforts to establish a more formal framework for such access.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing the federal government to revise its regulatory frameworks in order to incorporate “digital assets and innovative technology into traditional financial services and payment systems.”

The order said:

“It is therefore the policy of the United States to streamline regulatory processes, reduce unnecessary barriers to entry, and encourage collaboration between fintech firms, federally regulated financial institutions, and Federal financial regulators.”

Expanding Crypto-linked Access to Fed Payment Services

The document recommends that the United States integrate financial technology services into its preexisting payment and banking infrastructure.

Over the next three months, the chiefs of financial regulators are required by the order to evaluate their current laws and identify any regulations or documents that unfairly prevent fintech companies from forming relationships with banks authorized by the federal government.

As a consequence of the evaluation, Trump ordered regulators to take action within six months to promote innovation. Among these measures is a request that the Federal Reserve Board of Governors examine the current system for providing payment accounts and services to non-bank financial enterprises and uninsured depository institutions.

Additionally, this evaluation inquires as to whether or not the twelve Federal Reserve banks have the authority to issue payment accounts apart from the board. Special purpose depository institutions in Wyoming and other jurisdictions with comparable structures may be particularly well-served by this provision. An SPDI based in Wyoming, Kraken, was earlier this year allowed access to a restricted version of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas’s so-called master account. Similar access has been requested by other firms.

After unveiling a plan in December to provide access to some businesses, the Federal Reserve is now hard at work creating a more official “skinny” master account.

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Related Questions

QWhat did the executive order issued by President Trump aim to do regarding digital assets?

AThe executive order aimed to direct the federal government to revise its regulatory frameworks to incorporate digital assets and innovative technology into traditional financial services and payment systems.

QWhat are the three main policy goals stated in Trump's order for encouraging fintech?

AThe policy goals are to streamline regulatory processes, reduce unnecessary barriers to entry, and encourage collaboration between fintech firms, federally regulated financial institutions, and Federal financial regulators.

QWhat specific action did the order require the Federal Reserve Board of Governors to examine?

AThe order required the Federal Reserve Board of Governors to examine the current system for providing payment accounts and services to non-bank financial enterprises and uninsured depository institutions.

QWhich recent development for a specific type of institution is mentioned as being well-served by the order's provisions?

AThe order's provisions may particularly well-serve Special Purpose Depository Institutions (SPDIs) in Wyoming and other jurisdictions with comparable structures, referencing Kraken's earlier access to a restricted Fed master account.

QWhat is the Federal Reserve currently working on regarding master accounts, according to the article?

AFollowing a plan unveiled in December, the Federal Reserve is now hard at work creating a more official 'skinny' master account to provide access to certain businesses.

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