Banks Authorized For Crypto Activities, Confirms Federal Reserve Chair Powell

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced on Tuesday that banks will have the autonomy to determine their customer base, signaling an open door for digital asset investors and the introduction of new investment products centered around crypto assets. 

Freedom To Engage In Crypto Activities 

During his remarks before the House Financial Services Committee, Powell emphasized that banks are now positioned to offer banking services specifically tailored to the cryptocurrency industry and its associated companies.

On Tuesday, Powell further stressed that these digital asset activities must be conducted with a focus on maintaining safety and soundness for everyday investors. 

This announcement follows the Federal Reserve’s recent decision to remove reputational risk from its bank examination criteria on Monday, a change that aligns with similar actions taken by other US banking regulators, such as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Banks had expressed concerns that the previous emphasis on reputational risk could lead to subjective judgments from regulators, potentially penalizing institutions for engaging in legally permissible activities, including cryptocurrency, that do not pose significant financial risks. 

With the removal of this standard, the Federal Reserve has signaled a more lenient regulatory environment, allowing financial institutions to engage more freely in crypto-related projects and offerings.

Inflation Forecast

Addressing broader economic issues that can influence cryptocurrency prices, Powell highlighted ongoing concerns about inflation, which remains above the Fed’s target of 2%. 

The Fed chair noted that the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on the economy is still uncertain, stating, “Policy changes continue to evolve, and their effects on the economy remain uncertain.” 

Powell explained that the effects of tariffs will depend on their ultimate levels and that historically, tariffs have led to one-time price increases rather than sustained inflationary pressures.

As for inflation metrics, Powell indicated that the Fed’s preferred measure is likely to rise to 2.3% in May, with the core measure—excluding food and energy—expected to edge up to 2.6%. 

In April, these figures were recorded at 2.1% and 2.5%, respectively. Powell and his colleagues on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) are carefully considering these dynamics and do not feel rushed to adjust policy until more data on the impact of tariffs becomes available.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com