Crypto Biz: Kraken plugs into the Fed
Kraken secures Fed payment access, MARA clarifies its Bitcoin treasury plans, Fold cuts $66M in debt, and analysts say NYSE tokenization could attract institutions.
The digital asset sector took another step toward integration with traditional finance this week when Kraken secured direct access to the US Federal Reserve’s payment rails — a milestone that could reshape how crypto companies move dollars. Direct access to the Fed’s payment infrastructure could give the crypto exchange greater control over dollar flows while reducing reliance on banking partners, a longstanding challenge for the industry.
It also signals that crypto infrastructure is continuing to mature and integrate with the traditional banking system despite broader industry headwinds and a months-long market correction — one of the key themes in this week’s Crypto Biz newsletter.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) miner MARA Holdings pushed back on speculation that it plans to dump its BTC reserves, clarifying that recent regulatory filings simply expand its treasury flexibility. Bitcoin rewards company Fold strengthened its balance sheet by eliminating $66 million in convertible debt, while analysts say a proposed New York Stock Exchange tokenization framework could open the door to greater institutional participation.