CRS Report Warns Bank Crypto Rules Hinge on Regulator Leadership
- —Crypto policy at the three federal bank regulators has reversed repeatedly since 2017 with each change of administration
- —In March 2025 the OCC issued Interpretive Letter 1183, easing restrictions on bank digital asset activities
- —The CRS offered three paths: continued deference to regulators, new legislation, or a hybrid approach
- —The GENIUS Act allows bank subsidiaries to issue stablecoins, while the CLARITY Act has passed only the House
Why it matters: Without legislation, banks' access to Bitcoin could be curtailed again after a change of power in Washington, affecting institutional demand.
Source: Crypto Briefing