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The White House Issues Executive Order Integrating Financial Technology Innovation into Regulatory Frameworks
On May 19, 2026, the White House issued an executive order directing federal financial regulators to streamline regulatory processes and reduce barriers to entry for fintech firms seeking to operate within the U.S. financial system.
The order establishes a policy framework aimed at fostering financial innovation by updating regulations to facilitate the integration of digital assets and innovative technology into traditional financial services and payment systems. It defines fintech firms as non-bank companies using technological means to offer financial products or services, including payment processing, lending, deposit-taking, investment management, brokerage services, digital banking, digital asset-related services, and blockchain-based services.
The order directs the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to conduct regulatory reviews within 90 days to identify regulations, guidance, supervisory practices, and application processes that impede fintech innovation or competition. These reviews must identify items that unduly prevent fintech firms from partnering with federally regulated institutions or that could streamline charter and licensing applications, while balancing innovation with safety, soundness, consumer protection, market integrity, and financial stability.
The order also requests the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (FRB) to evaluate the legal and regulatory framework governing access to Federal Reserve payment accounts and services by uninsured depository institutions and non-bank financial companies engaged in digital assets and novel financial activities. The FRB must submit findings, options, and recommendations within 120 days, assessing legal authority to extend direct access, options for expansion, legal impediments, and consistency across the 12 Federal Reserve Banks. Where existing law permits, the FRB is requested to establish transparent application procedures with 90-day determination timelines for complete applications.
REFERENCES:
The White House. "Integrating Financial Technology Innovation into Regulatory Frameworks – Executive Order." May 19, 2026. Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/
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US White House Issues Executive Order: Integrating Financial Technology Innovation into Regulatory Frameworks
On May 19, 2026, the United States White House issued an executive order directing federal financial regulators to update regulations, reduce barriers to entry, and encourage collaboration between fintech firms, federally regulated financial institutions, and regulators. The order aims to foster financial innovation by streamlining regulatory processes for non‑bank fintech companies, including those involved in payment processing, digital assets, blockchain‑based services, and other novel financial activities. It also requests the Federal Reserve to evaluate and potentially expand direct access to its payment accounts and services for eligible fintech firms.
Key directives of the executive order include:
Regulatory review to reduce barriers: Within 90 days, each federal financial regulator (CFPB, SEC, NCUA, CFTC, FDIC, OCC) must review existing regulations, guidance, and application processes to identify those that unduly impede fintech firms from partnering with banks, credit unions, broker‑dealers, and other regulated institutions. The review must also consider streamlining applications for bank charters, credit union charters, deposit insurance, and other federal licenses.
Encouraging innovation: Within 180 days, the head of each financial regulator must, in consultation with the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, take steps to encourage innovation based on the review, balancing innovation with safety and soundness, consumer protection, and financial stability.
Federal Reserve access study: The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve is requested to conduct a comprehensive evaluation (within 120 days) of the legal and policy framework governing direct access to Reserve Bank payment accounts and payment services for uninsured depository institutions and non‑bank financial companies, including those engaged in digital assets and real‑time payment networks. The FRB must submit a report to the President with findings and recommendations.
Streamlined access process: If the FRB determines that existing law permits direct access, it is requested to establish transparent application procedures and make determinations on complete applications within 90 days.
The order reflects the administration's policy to reduce overly burdensome regulations, promote competition, and integrate digital assets and innovative technology into traditional financial services and payment systems.