Fed Quietly Softens Anti‑Crypto Stance with New Policy
On Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, the Federal Reserve signalled a reversal of the restrictive posture it adopted in 2023 toward digital assets. The announcement was framed as a policy shift rather than a single rule change, and has been described as a quiet but meaningful softening of the Fed’s earlier stance that many market participants saw as limiting bank involvement in crypto-related services.
The practical significance is still unfolding: banks, payment firms, and institutional investors are likely to watch for follow-up guidance and supervisory changes that could ease compliance frictions and broaden engagement with crypto infrastructure. The move also increases pressure on other U.S. regulators to clarify their positions. If sustained through concrete guidance, the Fed’s pivot could accelerate institutional adoption and lower regulatory risk for the industry, though final outcomes will depend on implementation and interagency coordination.