Trump issues order to explore letting crypto firms tap U.S. payment rails, including potential Fed access

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on May 20, 2026 directing federal agencies — including the Federal Reserve — to review regulatory barriers that limit fintech and digital-asset firms’ access to U.S. payment systems and financial infrastructure ^{[1] [2]}.

The order asks the Federal Reserve to evaluate broader payment-system access for digital-asset companies. BlockNews reports the review could include options such as direct Fed access for crypto platforms, which could allow them to bypass traditional banking intermediaries. CoinoMedia and other outlets described the directive as an effort to update rules to better integrate digital assets with traditional finance ^{[2] [3]}.

Crypto outlets including Bitcoin Magazine framed the action as directing regulators to 'tear down barriers' to crypto access to payment rails, and the move was also widely discussed on social platforms and community forums ^{[1] [4]}.

The executive order initiates reviews and evaluations by regulators but does not itself create new payment access rules; any substantive changes would depend on subsequent agency findings and rulemakings ^{[2] [1]}.