Pub. 10 2022 Issue 3

Issue 3. 2022 5 FEEL SECURE. BE SECURE. Contact us today! 801.489.9600 securityservicesutah.com Video Surveillance Electronic Alarm Systems Vault and Safe Locks Access Control Under Counter Steel Pneumatic Drive Up Equipment Deal Drawers Audio/Visual Sound Systems Networking/Structured Wiring The interest in cryptocurrencies and digital assets is undeniable – even in the face of recent volatility in digital asset markets. Americans want them: from the casual dabbler to the serious investor, from Gen Z’ers to boomers, it seems everyone wants a bite at the crypto apple. the digital asset markets and establish clear guidelines for risk management and consumer protection. Payments system access? Another key question is the extent to which nonbank crypto firms should have access to the payment system. The Federal Reserve took a significant step toward answering this question in mid-August when it finalized a framework for assessing which entities may be granted payment system access. This framework creates a tiered system for evaluating incoming requests, and under it, institutions that engage in novel activities would undergo a more extensive review. Access to the payments system is a significant privilege with many responsibilities. As the Fed begins evaluating new requests for access, we’ll be watching carefully to ensure that these new guidelines appropriately account for the inherent risks that come with some of these new financial players. Is there a use case for a CBDC? Finally, there’s the question of a central bank digital currency and whether there’s a use case for it in the U.S. As ABA told policymakers in several comment letters and testimonies over the last year, our view is that no such case exists – for every problem that proponents say a CBDC could solve, the fact is that there are already solutions available that don’t involve a governmentcreated currency. Financial inclusion is just one example: Banks are already making great strides to bring more unbanked households into the financial system by offering Bank On-certified accounts. Not only would a CBDC be duplicative of private-sector solutions that already exist, but it also has the potential to have an incredibly damaging effect on bank balance sheets and the flow of credit to households and businesses if the Federal Reserve were to become a competitor for bank deposits. These ongoing debates underscore an urgent need for a fair, well-calibrated regulatory framework for digital assets that promote responsible innovation while minimizing systemic risk and protecting consumers. And that’s a framework we’ll continue to fight for. n

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