Federal Reserve Updates Rules to Balance Crypto Innovation and Safety
Published Date: 12/22/2025
Rule
Summary
The Federal Reserve is updating its rules to help state member banks try new and innovative activities while keeping the financial system safe and sound. They’re replacing a 2023 policy that focused on unusual activities, including crypto, with fresh guidance that also covers uninsured banks. These changes take effect on December 22, 2025, aiming to balance innovation with stability—no surprise fees or delays here!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Uninsured Banks: Permission & Safety Tests
An uninsured state member bank may not engage as principal in activities not authorized for national banks or insured state-chartered banks unless the Board permits it under 12 CFR 208.3(d)(2). When deciding, the Board may consider the bank's regulatory framework, risk controls, and whether the bank demonstrates loss-absorbing capacity subordinate to deposits or high-quality liquid assets equal to 100% of demand deposits and other short-term liabilities, or an adequate resolution plan.
2023 Policy Rescinded; 2025 Statement Issued
The Federal Reserve rescinded its January 2023 policy statement and issued a new policy statement that takes effect on December 22, 2025. The 2025 Policy Statement is designed to facilitate innovation by state member banks while aiming to preserve safety and soundness and financial stability.
Insured Banks Restricted to National Bank Powers
The Board generally presumes that insured state member banks may only engage as principal in activities that are permissible for national banks unless those activities are permitted for insured state-chartered banks under section 24 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. If an activity is not permissible for national banks, an insured state member bank may engage in it only if the FDIC determines it poses no significant risk to the Deposit Insurance Fund and the bank complies with applicable Board capital standards.
Crypto-Activity Guidance Withdrawn
The Board withdrew from the record the Supplementary Information from 2023 that discussed specific crypto-asset activities. The 2025 Policy Statement replaces the 2023 Preamble discussion of crypto-asset activities.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-21626 — Regulatory Capital Rule: Modifications to the Enhanced Supplementary Leverage Ratio Standards for U.S. Global Systemically Important Bank Holding Companies and Their Subsidiary Depository Institutions; Total Loss-Absorbing Capacity and Long-Term Debt Requirements for U.S. Global Systemically Important Bank Holding Companies
Big U.S. banks that are super important to the economy are getting new rules to keep them safer and stronger. These changes tweak how much money they must keep on hand and how they handle long-term debt, helping prevent financial trouble. The new rules kick in soon and could affect how these banks manage billions in assets and debt.
2026-13690 — Formations of, Acquisitions by, and Mergers of Bank Holding Companies
Some companies want to become bank holding companies or buy other banks, and the Federal Reserve is checking their applications. If you have thoughts, you can send comments by August 6, 2026. This affects banks in Oklahoma, Texas, and even a Canadian bank looking to expand in the U.S., with no big money changes announced yet.
2026-13689 — Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company
If you want to buy shares in a bank or a bank holding company, you need to tell the Federal Reserve first. They’re checking these requests carefully and want to hear from the public by July 22, 2026. This helps keep banks safe and fair while making sure everyone knows who’s in charge.
2026-13287 — Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company
Some families and trusts want to buy shares in banks in Texas, and the Federal Reserve is checking their applications to make sure everything’s fair and safe. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until July 16, 2026, to speak up. This process helps keep bank ownership clear and protects everyone’s money.
2026-13067 — Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company
Some folks want to buy more shares in banks or bank companies, and the Federal Reserve is checking their plans to keep things safe and fair. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until July 14, 2026, to speak up! This process helps make sure big money moves in banks happen smoothly and openly.
2026-12697 — Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company
Some folks want to buy shares in banks or bank companies, and the Federal Reserve is checking their applications to make sure everything’s on the up and up. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until July 9, 2026, to speak up. This process helps keep banks safe and sound while letting new owners step in with the right approvals.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23487 — Television Broadcast Services Fort Bragg and Cloverdale, California
The FCC is moving TV channel 8 from Fort Bragg to Cloverdale, California, after One Ministries, Inc. asked for the change. This means KQSL(TV) will now officially serve Cloverdale instead of Fort Bragg starting January 20, 2026. No extra costs or big hassles are expected, just a smoother TV setup for Cloverdale viewers!
Next: 2025-23551 — Safety Zone; Stage Nine Entertainment, Sacramento NYE Fireworks, CA
On New Year's Eve 2025, the Coast Guard will block off a safety zone on the Sacramento River near the Delta King Hotel from 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. to keep everyone safe during the Stage Nine Entertainment fireworks show. Boats and people can’t enter or hang out in this area unless they get special permission. This temporary change helps protect lives and property without any fees or long-term impacts.