Custodia To File Appeal Over Denied Access To Fed Master Account

As an experienced financial analyst, I believe that Custodia’s decision to appeal the US District Court ruling is a significant move in its long-standing battle with the Federal Reserve over gaining direct access to the payment systems of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. This legal struggle has been ongoing since 2022, and the recent court ruling against Custodia highlighted the Federal Reserve’s discretionary power in granting or denying master accounts.


Custodia Bank has announced its intention to challenge the US District Court decision in Wyoming that upheld the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s (FRBKC) denial of a master account to the crypto bank. This step is a component of Custodia’s persistent campaign to obtain direct access to the Kansas City Fed’s payment infrastructure, which it believes is essential for expanding its business.

Custodia’s Legal Struggle With The Federal Reserve

Custodia’s recent appeal signifies the latest chapter in a long-standing legal dispute initiated when this Wyoming crypto bank sought a master account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in 2022. Obtaining this account would allow Custodia to bypass intermediary banks, granting it direct access to the federal financial system instead.

As a researcher studying financial disputes, I came across the case where Custodia filed a lawsuit against the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (FRBKC) in early 2023. The cause of this legal action was the unjustified delay in processing their application for a master account, an issue that had been ongoing since the previous year. After the FRBKC formally denied their application in January 2023, Custodia chose to renew their lawsuit.

On March 29, 2024, Judge Scott Skavdahl of the US District Court made a decision against Custodia, emphasizing the Federal Reserve Banks’ authority to approve or reject master accounts. These accounts are crucial for businesses seeking direct access to the U.S. financial system. In his ruling, Judge Skavdahl pointed out that this power lies within the discretion of the Federal Reserve Banks.

The Federal Reserve is not obligated by law to provide a primary account to every eligible institution under its jurisdiction.

As an analyst, I’d put it this way: He underscored the risks of a regulatory competition among states, where they may weaken supervision in order to entice businesses. This could result in institutions with minimal regulation gaining easy access to central bank funds and Fed services.

As a crypto investor, I’m following the legal developments between Custodia and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (FRBKC) closely. Despite the setback from Judge Skavdhal’s decision denying Custodia a master account, they remain determined to appeal. I eagerly await the outcome at the US Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Once the case is reviewed, both parties will be asked to present their arguments before a decision is made, which could potentially uphold or reverse the lower court’s ruling.

The Crypto Community Sits Tight

The ongoing legal dispute between Custodia, the Kansas City Federal Reserve, and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors could greatly influence the future use of cryptocurrencies within international financial markets. Regulators in the US are expressing concerns over the potential risks associated with digital assets, but Custodia argues that these assets bring value and security, particularly during periods of rapid technological progression.

In today’s fast-pacing technological landscape, I, Custodia, propose a banking model capable of catering to emerging industries and shielding against the frequent occurrences of bank runs within conventional finance. My crypto bank stands firm in its mission and is actively seeking legal avenues to challenge what I perceive as heavy-handed maneuvers from the Federal Reserve.

In the ongoing legal process, the financial sector and cryptocurrency businesses are keeping a close eye on the potential outcomes. These developments could establish important benchmarks for incorporating digital asset entities into the American banking infrastructure.

Custodia To File Appeal Over Denied Access To Fed Master AccountTotal crypto market cap valued at $2.262 trillion on the daily chart | Source: TOTAL chart on Tradingview.com

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2024-04-27 14:41