FDIC Issues Request for Information on Digital Assets — 2021-05-17

WASHINGTON — The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today announced that it is gathering information and soliciting comments from interested parties about insured depository institution’ current and potential digital asset activities. The FDIC recognizes that there are novel and unique considerations related to digital assets. Given that banks are increasingly exploring the emerging digital asset ecosystem, the FDIC is issuing this request for information (RFI) to help inform its understanding of the industry’s and consumers’ interests in this area. “At the FDIC, we are laying the foundation for the next chapter of banking by ensuring we have a regulatory framework that allows responsible innovation to flourish. Digital assets is one area in which we have seen rapid expansion and innovation in recent years. This RFI gives us an opportunity to gain additional insight into the market, and what role banks might play in the future,” said FDIC Chairman Jelena McWilliams.