Custodia | Crypto

The Blockchain Association argues the Fed should not have broad discretion to deny eligible state-chartered banks direct access to its payment system. The Blockchain Association urged the US Supreme Court to hear Custodia Bank’s challenge to the Federal Reserve’s denial of its application for a master account, which would give the crypto-focused bank direct access to the Fed’s payment system. In an amicus brief filed Wednesday, the industry group argued that federal law requires the central bank to make its payment services available to eligible nonmember banks and that the Fed should not have broad discretion to deny access. The association said the appeals court’s decision effectively gives the Fed veto power over state-chartered banks by allowing it to withhold services needed to operate independently. It also linked Custodia’s case to alleged crypto debanking under “Operation Choke Point 2.0,” arguing that federal regulators discouraged banks from serving the digital asset industry. Read more

The proposed system aims to connect traditional banking infrastructure with blockchain-based payment networks with banks retaining customer deposits. Custodia and Vantage Bank have proposed a token that automatically switches between a bank deposit and a stablecoin as it moves between participating banks and external users. According to a white paper shared with Cointelegraph on Thursday, the token would operate as a deposit issued by a participating bank when held within a banking consortium and as a stablecoin backed by cash and short-term Treasurys when transferred outside the so-called Hazel network. The companies said the system has been running on Ethereum (ETH) since March and is being tested by participating banks ahead of a broader rollout planned for later this year. The platform is designed to support tokenized deposits, stablecoins and other blockchain-based financial assets through a shared banking infrastructure. Read more

Custodia Bank is asking the full Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals to review the US Fed’s decision denying it a master account, which would allow it to process payments directly. Custodia Bank, a crypto‑focused bank founded by Bitcoin advocate Caitlin Long, is doubling down on efforts to obtain a master account at the US Federal Reserve by filing a new petition in the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. On Monday, the Wyoming-chartered company filed a petition asking all active judges of the Tenth Circuit to reconsider its October decision upholding the Federal Reserve’s denial of a master account for Custodia. Through the petition, formally termed a “rehearing en banc,” Custodia argued that the panel had misread the Monetary Control Act, which it asserts entitles any eligible bank to a master account, and in doing so, undermines state banking authority. Read more