The U.S. Federal Reserve has rescinded its restrictive guidance to banks on dealing with cryptocurrencies. The regulator formally withdrew the 2022 guidance, which required banks to provide advance notice of planned or ongoing activities involving cryptoassets.
"The Board is rescinding its 2022 guidance letter establishing an expectation that state member banks provide advance notice of planned or ongoing cryptoasset-related activities," the announcement from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors said.
Any activity related to cryptocurrencies will now be monitored through the Federal Reserve's normal supervisory process. In addition, the Fed is rescinding its 2023 supervisory letter that affected state banks' interactions with stablecoins.
Why Were These Guidelines Introduced in the First Place?
In the original recommendations, the regulator emphasized that cryptocurrencies may pose risks to the safety and soundness of the financial system, consumer protection, and U.S. financial stability in general.
"Certain types of cryptoassets, such as stablecoins, when widely distributed, may also pose risks to financial stability, including potentially through destabilizing bulk sales and disruptions in payment systems," the document noted.
The Fed also pointed out that cryptocurrencies are often used for money laundering and terrorist financing.
Dropping Warnings About Crypto Scams
Together with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Fed has withdrawn two 2023 statements regarding banks' interactions with crypto asset sector participants who may be engaged in fraud.
"Inaccurate or misleading statements and disclosures by crypto asset companies [...] can be unfair, deceptive or offensive, contributing to significant harm to retail and institutional investors," the now withdrawn joint statement read.
The New Administration’s First Step
The revocations mark the Federal Reserve's first major move on crypto activity under the Trump administration, which has initiated several measures to create a more favorable environment for cryptocurrencies in the U.S. and support innovation.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also revokeda controversial rule that required banks and financial firms holding cryptocurrencies to record them as liabilities on their balance sheets. This happened on January 23 - thus removing a regulatory barrier that had been slowing the adoption of cryptocurrency banking.
These changes indicate a significant shift in the way federal regulators view the crypto industry. In fact, banks are now allowed to operate more freely with cryptocurrencies without having to go through additional bureaucratic notification procedures.
