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Federal Reserve Governor Endorses DeFi as Future of US Payments

In a significant policy speech, Christopher Waller pushes for collaboration between the private sector and policymakers to integrate blockchain technology.

August 21, 2025

Fed governor tells bankers DeFi is ‘nothing to be afraid of’

• Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller stated that DeFi is not something to be feared and can transform the US payment system.

• He compared the principles of DeFi to traditional fiat purchases, highlighting their similarities.

• This endorsement from a key regulatory figure could signal a more positive and collaborative future for DeFi and blockchain technology in the US.

Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller has adopted a notably optimistic stance on decentralized finance (DeFi), urging bankers and policymakers to embrace the technology. In his view, DeFi represents a key component in the evolution of the U.S. payment system, not a threat to be feared.

Waller argues that the core principles of DeFi transactions are analogous to traditional financial operations, such as using a debit card. He emphasized that the underlying technology, while innovative, serves the same fundamental purpose of facilitating payments and transfers.

This perspective from a high-ranking Federal Reserve official signals a potential shift in the regulatory landscape for digital assets. It suggests a move towards a more collaborative approach, where the central bank and private sector work together to build a robust and modern payment infrastructure that incorporates the benefits of blockchain and stablecoins.

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