"Fed Seeks to Shape Digital Future: Bridging Old and New Finance"

The U.S. Federal Reserve is set to host a conference on October 21, 2025, to explore advancements in the payments system, with a specific focus on stablecoins, tokenization of financial products, and the convergence of traditional and decentralized finance. The event, announced by the Federal Reserve Board, aims to gather regulators, academics, and industry participants to discuss strategies for enhancing the safety, efficiency, and innovation of the U.S. payments infrastructure [1].

Fed Governor Christopher Waller emphasized the importance of innovation in meeting the evolving demands of consumers and businesses, stating that the conference will facilitate the exchange of ideas on how to harness new technologies while addressing their associated challenges. Panel discussions will cover emerging stablecoin use cases, the tokenization of financial services, and the intersection of artificial intelligence with payments [2]. The event will be streamed live on the Federal Reserve's website, ensuring public accessibility to the dialogue on the future of payments [3].

The conference aligns with a broader shift in the Federal Reserve’s approach to digital assets. In April 2025, the Fed revised its stance on crypto and stablecoin activities, removing restrictions and reputational risk assessments for banks involved in these sectors. These changes reflect a more accommodative regulatory environment for innovation in digital payments [1]. Notably, the July 2025 FOMC minutes suggested that stablecoins could enhance the efficiency of the payments system and potentially increase demand for Treasury securities, underscoring their role in financial stability and liquidity [1].

The timing of the conference also occurs amid heightened scrutiny of the Federal Reserve’s independence, particularly following President Donald Trump’s attempt to remove Governor Lisa Cook from her position. Despite ongoing legal challenges, the Fed remains focused on its mandate, with Governor Waller—rather than Chair Jerome Powell—representing the board at the event. The conference is seen as a continuation of efforts to foster regulatory clarity and ensure that the U.S. payments system remains competitive in an increasingly digital global economy [2].

Analysts suggest that the conference could lay the groundwork for future policy developments, particularly in the area of stablecoin regulation. Jakob Kronbichler, CEO of Clearpool, noted that the event signals a move toward recognizing stablecoins and tokenized assets as core components of the payments infrastructure. He stressed the need for clear, consistent regulatory frameworks to support the scalability and interoperability of on-chain financial solutions [3]. The inclusion of artificial intelligence in the discussions further highlights the Fed’s interest in leveraging technology to enhance payment systems, particularly in areas such as fraud detection, credit assessment, and risk management.

As the U.S. continues to navigate its approach to digital assets, the October 21 conference represents a critical step in shaping a forward-looking payments landscape. With growing interest in tokenization and decentralized finance, the Fed’s engagement with these topics underscores the potential for a more inclusive, efficient, and resilient financial system [1].

Source:

[1] The Block - [https://www.theblock.co/post/369338/federal-reserve-conference-stablecoins-tokenization](https://www.theblock.co/post/369338/federal-reserve-conference-stablecoins-tokenization)

[2] Cointelegraph - [https://cointelegraph.com/news/federal-reserve-conference-stablecoins-tokenization](https://cointelegraph.com/news/federal-reserve-conference-stablecoins-tokenization)

[3] Yahoo Finance - [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-fed-host-payments-innovation-022309403.html](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-fed-host-payments-innovation-022309403.html)