Travis Hill, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.’s Vice Chairman, has voiced concerns over the United States’ regulatory stance on banks managing digital assets for their customers. Hill argues that the current approach hampers innovation and urges for a more supportive attitude towards blockchain technology. He emphasized the need for clearer guidelines on what banking activities are permissible and considered safe.
A Call for Clarity in Digital Asset Regulation
During his speech at George Mason University, Hill highlighted the challenges regulators face in issuing policies for rapidly evolving technologies. Despite these challenges, he believes that providing clear regulations is crucial. He remarked that the current regulatory environment suggests a reluctance from the FDIC to engage with industries exploring blockchain and distributed ledger technologies, even for non-crypto activities such as tokenized deposits.
Distinguishing Between Crypto and Tokenization
Hill urged regulators to differentiate between cryptocurrencies and tokenization, the latter referring to the digital representation of physical assets on a blockchain. He pointed out that the lack of transparency in the FDIC’s evaluation process leaves industries in the dark about potential permissible activities.
Criticism of SEC’s Guidance on Cryptoassets
Furthermore, Hill criticized the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) guidance that requires firms to list cryptoassets as liabilities on their balance sheets. He argues this approach significantly differs from the traditional method of handling custody assets, which are usually recorded off-balance sheet as the customer’s property, not the custodian’s.
The backdrop to Hill’s remarks includes a warning from top US bank regulators last year about the risks associated with banks delving into crypto. The FDIC, alongside the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, expressed concerns over the volatile nature of cryptoassets and the potential risk they pose to the banking system.
