Federal Reserve Governor Advocates for Crypto Payments Integration

According to Cointelegraph, U.S. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller has reassured both his colleagues and the private banking sector that there is no reason to fear crypto payments, despite their operation outside the traditional banking framework. Speaking at the Wyoming Blockchain Symposium 2025, Waller emphasized that decentralized finance (DeFi) represents merely a new technological method for transferring assets and recording transactions. He urged policymakers and the banking industry to collaborate on developing crypto payment infrastructure, highlighting that the use of smart contracts, tokenization, and distributed ledgers in daily transactions should not be intimidating. Waller's remarks signal the Federal Reserve's gradual shift towards embracing cryptocurrency and its potential role in the U.S. payment system. In a significant move, the Fed recently withdrew its 2022 guidance that discouraged banks from engaging in crypto and stablecoin activities. Additionally, the Fed has concluded its risk-focused "novel activities supervision program" that monitored crypto-related activities. Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman also suggested that staff should be permitted to hold small amounts of cryptocurrency to gain a better understanding of the technology. Waller, who is seen as a leading candidate to succeed Jerome Powell as Fed Chair, could soon have more influence in shaping the Fed's approach to cryptocurrency. Powell's term is set to end in May 2026, and his continuation depends on renomination by U.S. President Donald Trump and Senate confirmation. However, reports indicate that Trump has been pressuring Powell to step down. Waller likened DeFi transactions to everyday debit card purchases, explaining that using stablecoins to buy a memecoin is akin to using a debit card to purchase an apple at a grocery store. He described the process as straightforward: using a digital dollar from a checking account to pay, tapping a debit card on a reader, and receiving a transaction receipt. In the crypto world, this translates to buying a memecoin with a stablecoin, executing the transaction via a smart contract, and recording it on a distributed ledger. The recent enactment of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act is seen by Waller as a crucial step towards stablecoin adoption. He believes this legislation could enable stablecoins to achieve their full potential, aiding in maintaining and expanding the dollar's international role, particularly in high-inflation countries or those with limited access to physical dollars. The stablecoin market, currently valued at $280 billion, is projected by the U.S. Treasury to reach $2 trillion by 2028, driven by a regulatory framework that could boost demand for U.S. Treasury bills. Tether (USDT) and Circle’s USDC (USDC) are the dominant players in the stablecoin sector, with market caps of $167 billion and $67.5 billion, respectively, according to CoinGecko data.