The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) is hosting a high-profile conference today that holds significant implications for the global cryptocurrency ecosystem. Originally announced on September 3 and scheduled for October 21, the event will focus on the integration of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology into the financial system — particularly how these innovations can enhance the efficiency and security of payment systems.
Led by Trump Nominee Christopher Waller
The conference will be opened and closed by Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller, one of Donald Trump’s potential candidates for the next Fed chair. Waller, known for his pro-rate-cut stance, will oversee discussions throughout the event.
Notably, Fed Chair Jerome Powell will not attend the meeting. According to the official agenda, the conference is set to begin around 3:00 PM (Turkey time).
Key Themes: Tokenization and Stablecoins
Two of the most critical discussion topics will be tokenization and stablecoins — both central to the evolving relationship between traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi).
- Under the tokenization theme, participants will discuss how securities, funds, and financial instruments can be represented on blockchain networks.
- The stablecoin segment will focus on regulatory frameworks and integration pathways for these digital assets within the broader financial infrastructure.
- Another prominent topic will be artificial intelligence (AI) and how it can be applied to payment systems to improve efficiency and security.
Global Financial Giants in Attendance
The event, held at the Federal Reserve’s Washington, D.C. headquarters, will feature some of the world’s leading financial institutions, including:
- BlackRock
- Franklin Templeton
- ARK Invest
- BNY Mellon
Notably, Cathie Wood, founder and CEO of ARK Invest, along with other prominent executives from the crypto and finance sectors, will speak or participate in panels.
From the crypto industry, major players such as Coinbase, Paxos, Fireblocks, and Chainlink will also be present — underscoring the increasing convergence between traditional finance and blockchain innovation.
This conference marks one of the Fed’s most significant steps in publicly engaging with digital asset regulation and infrastructure discussions, signaling that the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) and stablecoin frameworks are now moving toward the core of monetary policy discourse in the United States.
