Banks are still banned from holding crypto, stifling blockchain adoption.
Senator Lummis links the US Fed to Operation Chokepoint 2.0 crackdown.
Caitlin Long, CEO of Custodia Bank, accused the US Federal Reserve of pretending to support crypto while quietly favoring big banks. The banking executive said the Fed rescinded four restrictive policies but left a key one in place from January 7, 2023, when the Biden administration pushed anti-crypto measures.
Why Did the Fed Keep One Key Anti-Crypto Rule?
According to a detailed April 27 thread on X, Caitlin Long explained that a key US Fed rule is quietly making it difficult for banks to get directly involved in crypto.
1/ I’VE BEEN THINKING about why the Fed left in place one of its anti-#crypto statements while rescinding all 4 others. The one it left in place was issued in coordination w/ the Biden White House’s anti-crypto statement on January 27, 2023. Link here:https://t.co/VntoUEBn9Lhttps://t.co/n2p2aD3WI3
First, banks are not allowed to hold crypto for themselves, not even to cover small transaction fees, like gas fees needed to process blockchain transactions.
Second, banks are not allowed to create stablecoins on open, public blockchains like Ethereum.
Third, the Fed still strongly prefers private blockchains controlled by big banks, even though other regulators like the OCC and FDIC have moved away from that idea.
Long warns that this gives big banks a major advantage. They can launch private stablecoins while everyone else must wait for the new stablecoin bill to take effect.
5/ Next, let’s turn to the Fed keeping its old policy that banks can’t touch #crypto directly (as principal). This blocks banks from making markets in BTC, ETH, SOL, etc (something the WallSt banks want to do), but it also does something more insidious to banks in crypto custody:
The rule creates deeper problems for banks offering crypto custody services. When providing custody, banks must estimate gas fees before executing on-chain transactions. If fees increase above their estimate, the transaction fails.
Current rules prevent banks from paying these extra fees themselves, creating a major operational problem.
Custodians typically break large balances into smaller ones as a safety measure. But these internal transfers also require gas fees that banks can’t cover, effectively pushing them away from the custody business entirely.
Are Private Blockchains the Fed’s Hidden Agenda?
This debate started after the US Federal Reserve, on April 24, announced the withdrawal of major pieces of guidance that had discouraged banks from engaging with crypto and stablecoins.
First, the Fed rescinded its 2022 letter requiring banks to notify before starting crypto activities.
Second, it withdrew two 2023 statements warning banks against working with potentially fraudulent crypto entities. Finally, it canceled a 2023 letter restricting state banks from issuing stablecoins.
@federalreserve announces the withdrawal of guidance for banks related to their crypto-asset and dollar token activities and related changes to its expectations for these activities: https://t.co/v1MwuswOlE
The Fed originally implemented these rules to protect financial stability, consumers, and banking system integrity.
The move was seen as the Federal Reserve’s first big step on crypto under the Trump administration, which has promised to make the US more crypto-friendly and to support innovation.
Long offered a completely different view. She argued that the Fed’s move was mainly a PR spin that fooled many “smart people.” She pointed out that the Fed’s press release listed all guidance it dropped but strategically avoided mentioning what it kept in place.
9/ The Fed definitely won on PR spin–its press release listed a long list of guidance it rescindedbut omitted ANY mention of the guidance it kept. That duped *a lot* of smart people, understandably. Y’all *SHOULD* be angry now that you know the truth. https://t.co/S9jJ6LrZJM
Long also noted the White House praised the Fed’s actions, seemingly unaware of what actually happened. She suggested this raises questions about what the White House expected, what the Fed promised to do, and current Fed-White House relations.
Could State Laws Undermine the Fed’s Control Over Crypto?
While Long focuses on the Fed’s technical restrictions, the battle extends to Congress as well. The clash between federal control and state-level innovation continues to intensify.
US Senator Cynthia Lummis warns the crypto industry not to celebrate too early after the Federal Reserve has pulled back some crypto rules.
Lummis, often called “crypto’s savior” and “Bitcoin’s Godmother,” strongly supports crypto innovation. She led efforts like the BITCOIN Act and the Strategic Reserve Bill, both introduced in July 2024.
(1/5) The Federal Reserve’s actions yesterday withdrawing crypto guidance are just lip service. Here’s why:
In a detailed X post, Lummis said the Fed’s move is mostly “lip service,” echoing Long’s concerns.
She explained that the Fed continues using “reputational risk” to control banks unfairly. Lummis highlighted that Section 9(13), an important part of the Fed’s policies, remains in place.
The Fed still labels Bitcoin and digital assets as “unsafe and unsound.”
Finally, she reminded everyone that many people behind the earlier crypto crackdown (Operation Chokepoint 2.0) still shape policy today.
I will continue to hold the Fed accountable until the digital asset industry gets more than a life jacket, Chair Powell—they need a fair shake.
Lummis plans to keep fighting and will hold Fed Chair Jerome Powell accountable until the crypto industry gets real, lasting support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Could the Fed’s policies inadvertently accelerate crypto adoption outside traditional banking systems?
The Fed’s restrictions on banks offering crypto services can push users toward DeFi platforms like Aave (for lending/borrowing), Uniswap, and PancakeSwap. These platforms enable self-custody and peer-to-peer transactions, bypassing banks entirely.
What role do state-level crypto initiatives play in countering the Fed’s restrictive policies?
States like Wyoming, where Caitlin Long’s Custodia Bank is chartered, are leading efforts to attract blockchain businesses. Wyoming’s Special Purpose Depository Institution (SPDI) framework, for instance, allows banks like Custodia to offer digital asset custody and transactional services while avoiding some of the Federal Reserve’s strictest regulations.
Why is the Fed favoring private blockchains, and who benefits?
The Fed prefers private blockchains for their control and privacy. Unlike public chains, these networks limit access to trusted players, mainly large banks. For example, JP Morgan’s stablecoin, the JPM Coin, operates on a permissioned network, while Mastercard’s Multi-Token (MTN) leverages the payment network’s private chain. Both fit the Fed’s strict rules, keeping settlements secured and regulated.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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(@CaitlinLong_) April 27, 2025
but omitted ANY mention of the guidance it kept. That duped *a lot* of smart people, understandably. Y’all *SHOULD* be angry now that you know the truth. https://t.co/S9jJ6LrZJM