Fed Opens Door to Crypto Payment Access as Ripple and XRP Gain Momentum

The U.S. Federal Reserve has taken a major step toward expanding access to its payment infrastructure by requesting public comments on a proposed “payment account” framework, commonly referred to as skinny master accounts. The move is expected to benefit crypto firms and fintech companies seeking direct access to the Fed’s payment and settlement systems, with Ripple emerging as one of the most closely watched players.

Under the proposal, legally eligible institutions, including crypto-focused financial firms, could gain access to the Federal Reserve’s payment rails for clearing and settlement services. Companies such as Ripple, Circle, Anchorage Digital, Custodia Bank, and Kraken have either applied for or shown interest in obtaining Fed master accounts. Kraken reportedly secured approval earlier this year, increasing optimism across the digital asset industry.

The Federal Reserve stated that the proposed payment account structure is designed to encourage financial innovation while limiting risks to Reserve Banks and the broader U.S. payment system. However, institutions using skinny master accounts would not receive benefits such as intraday credit, discount window access, or interest on account balances.

The proposal also follows President Donald Trump’s executive order directing regulators to review barriers preventing crypto and fintech firms from accessing banking and payment services. Regulators were instructed to identify and remove unnecessary restrictions within three months.

Despite the progress, the Fed is temporarily pausing new Tier 3 master account decisions until December 2026, affecting many crypto firms. The central bank said the delay will allow time to finalize policy development and review public feedback.

Meanwhile, XRP price sentiment remains bullish as investors speculate that Ripple could eventually secure direct Fed payment access. Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin and cross-border payment network could significantly benefit from faster settlement capabilities tied to the Federal Reserve system. XRP recently climbed above key support levels, while derivatives data from CME and Binance showed mixed but active trader interest following the latest FOMC developments.