WASHINGTON–The FDIC has given banks new freedoms to expand into crypto.

In a statement released by the FDIC, is said banks may now “engage in permissible crypto-related activities” without receiving prior approval from the regulator.

The FDIC’s new guidance is similar to that issued by the national bank regulator issued March 10.

In FIL-7-2025, the FDIC said it is clarifying that the banks whose deposits it insures may engage in permissible activities, including those involving “new and emerging technologies” such as crypto-assets and digital assets,” provided that the banks adequately manage the associated risks.

In addition, the new FIL rescinds FIL-16-2022, issued in 2022, that notified banks that engagement in crypto assets by banks – or the intention to engage in those digital assets – would trigger a notification to the FDIC, which would then review the information and provide supervisory feedback to each institution.

‘Little Consistency’

In 2023 the FDIC had stated there was “little consistency” in the definitions associated with many crypto assets and crypto-related activities, and that along with rapid changes and expansion of their structure and scope, the inconsistency made it difficult to “categorically identify” the assets and activities.

In its newest order the FDIC is the earlier approach was flawed and further stated it anticipates its latest guidance will be “one of several steps the FDIC will take to lay out a new approach for how banks can engage in crypto- and blockchain-related activities in accordance with safety and soundness standards.”