Federal Reserve initiates the end of the crypto de-banking review period, "Throat Lock Action 2.0" may迎来 policy turning point

February 24 News: The U.S. Federal Reserve has officially advanced a regulatory proposal to end the “de-banking” of the crypto industry and has opened a 60-day public comment period on related banking regulations. This move is seen as a significant signal of a shift in U.S. financial regulatory policy, with the crypto industry generally believing it could weaken long-standing banking restrictions that have troubled digital asset companies.

According to official statements, the proposed rules aim to remove “reputation risk” as a core basis for banks to review clients from the regulatory framework, instead focusing on “material financial risk.” Regulators have previously instructed banking authorities not to require financial institutions to close accounts solely based on reputation concerns, which could provide clearer institutional protections for legitimate crypto businesses in opening accounts and accessing funds.

Vice Chair Michelle Bowman pointed out that regulators have previously pressured financial institutions to cancel services based on clients’ political stances, religious beliefs, or engagement in unpopular but legal industries, sparking widespread controversy. The crypto community refers to this phenomenon as “Choking Action 2.0,” believing it has limited digital asset companies’ ability to access traditional financial systems.

On the policy front, the Trump administration had previously pushed investigations into allegations of “de-banking” the crypto industry and used administrative measures to require regulatory agencies to review such practices. Senator Cynthia Lummis publicly supported the Federal Reserve’s latest proposal on social media, stating that regulators should not determine the banking access of digital asset companies based on subjective standards, and emphasizing that removing “reputation risk” is a key step toward ending de-banking in crypto.

Additionally, Alex Thorn, Research Director at Galaxy Digital, said that this policy adjustment could mark a move toward a more rational crypto regulatory environment in the U.S. As banking compliance standards become clearer, the policies on crypto company account opening, digital asset compliance frameworks, and access to crypto financial services are expected to become key focal points for U.S. crypto regulation and institutional entry by 2026.