Payments Innovation
Fed governor pitches limited master accounts at payments conference
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller opened the central bank's first Payments Innovation Conference on October 21, 2025, pledging to embrace crypto and DeFi disruptions. He proposed exploring a 'skinny' version of master accounts to give payments innovators direct access to Fed payment rails. The event in Washington, D.C., aimed to foster dialogue between traditional financial players and new entrants.
Fed proposes limited payment access for stablecoin issuers
Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller suggested creating a 'skinny' master account to give compliant crypto firms, including stablecoin issuers, limited direct access to Fed payment rails. The proposal, announced on October 21, 2025, at the Fed's Payments Innovation Conference, aims to reduce reliance on commercial banks while imposing strict limits. It revives narrow banking concepts amid growing stablecoin adoption following the GENIUS Act.