Core Viewpoint - The blockchain seminar held before the Jackson Hole global central bank conference highlighted the importance of embracing technological innovations in digital assets and stablecoins to drive economic growth in the U.S. [1] Group 1: Technological Innovation in Payments - Christopher Waller, a Federal Reserve governor, emphasized that the current advancements in computing power, data processing, and distributed networks are fostering innovative payment services [1] - Waller stated that the evolution of payment systems is primarily driven by technological progress, with private sector innovations leading the way, while the Federal Reserve plays a supportive role [3][4] Group 2: Collaboration Between Public and Private Sectors - Waller advocated for collaboration between the Federal Reserve and the private sector to explore the potential of decentralized finance (DeFi) technologies, which could enhance traditional payment systems [2][3] - He highlighted the need for the Federal Reserve to continue embracing technological advancements to modernize services and support private sector innovation [3][5] Group 3: Research on New Payment Technologies - The Federal Reserve is currently researching innovations in payment technologies, including tokenization, smart contracts, and the application of artificial intelligence [3][4] - Waller expressed the importance of understanding these trends to better support private enterprises using related infrastructure and to evaluate the potential of emerging technologies to improve existing Federal Reserve platforms and services [4] Group 4: Positive Outlook on Cryptocurrency - Waller's remarks come amid a broader acceptance of the cryptocurrency industry within the Federal Reserve, as another official, Michelle Bowman, also praised the benefits of new technologies like AI and cryptocurrencies [5] - The discussions at the seminar indicate a growing recognition of the need for banks and regulators to adapt to the evolving landscape of digital assets to maintain their relevance in the economy [5]