The Federal Reserve has opened the door to a new type of central bank account that could reshape how crypto and payment-focused firms access the US banking system, under a tailored approval framework. On Friday, the Fed requested public input on a proposed “payment account.” The account would sit alongside, but remain distinct from, the traditional master account that banks currently use to access Federal Reserve services. The comment period will remain open for 45 days following publication in the Fed ...

Core Insights - The Federal Reserve is exploring the creation of a new payment account tailored for private sector use, particularly for fintech companies, which would limit the central bank's risk exposure [2][3][8] - The proposed payment account would be available to all legally eligible institutions and aims to support payment innovations, addressing the long-standing demand from fintechs for direct access to Fed services [3][4] - The Fed is shifting its perspective on digital payments and decentralized finance, with a focus on embracing innovation rather than resisting it, as articulated by Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller [6][7] Group 1 - The payment account concept is intended to provide a "skinny" version of the Fed's master account, offering limited services to reduce risk for the central bank [8] - Fintech companies have been advocating for more access to the Fed's master account services to enhance their competitive position against traditional banks [4] - The Fed's Payments Innovation Conference highlighted the evolving landscape of digital payments and the importance of adapting to new technologies [6][7] Group 2 - The Trump administration previously supported digital payments and assets, indicating a governmental push towards modernizing payment systems [5] - Waller emphasized that the private sector should lead innovation, which the central bank must consider for its own systems [7] - The Fed's payments committee is recognizing the impact of decentralized finance and cryptocurrency on mainstream payment systems [6][7]