Ripple says 'skinny' Fed master account is attractive despite limitations

Core Insights - Ripple supports the concept of a "skinny" Federal Reserve payments account for non-banks, which could alleviate banks' concerns regarding financial stability and competition risks [1][5] - The company has applied for a Fed "master account" to directly access the U.S. central bank's payments infrastructure, avoiding reliance on intermediaries [2] - Fed Governor Christopher Waller indicated that the central bank is considering a "skinny" master account that would limit access to certain services, addressing some concerns from traditional banks [3][5] Group 1 - The "skinny" account would enable Ripple to efficiently redeem reserves for its dollar-pegged stablecoin RLUSD, enhancing transaction speed and reducing costs [4] - The account would provide limited access to Fed payments without infringing on traditional banks' broader business operations [5] - The response from banks regarding the "skinny" Fed master account remains uncertain, particularly concerning their concerns about non-banks accessing critical financial infrastructure [5]