Trump signs an executive order requiring a review of restrictions on cryptocurrency companies accessing the U.S. payment system

On Tuesday local time, U.S. President Trump signed an executive order requiring the federal government and the Federal Reserve to review the existing regulatory framework to promote deeper integration of digital assets and financial technology into traditional financial services and payment systems. The executive order mandates U.S. financial regulators to review current rules within the next three months and identify any "unreasonable barriers" to cooperation between fintech companies and federally regulated financial institutions. Within six months, regulators must also take measures to encourage financial innovation. Among other things, the order specifically requires the Federal Reserve to reassess the eligibility of uninsured deposit institutions and non-bank financial companies for payment accounts and payment services.

The document also requests the 12 regional Federal Reserve Banks to study whether they can independently open payment accounts to relevant institutions without relying on the approval of the Federal Reserve Board. Analysts believe this policy may benefit special purpose deposit institutions in Wyoming and similar structures for cryptocurrency companies. Previously, Kraken's Wyoming SPDI had obtained a limited version of "master account" authority from the Kansas Federal Reserve, and other cryptocurrency institutions are also seeking similar qualifications. Reports indicate that the Federal Reserve is currently also studying a more formal "streamlined master account" mechanism and had announced related proposals last December.