US Federal Reserve to Host Digital Assets Conference Amid Leadership Turmoil

The Federal Reserve Board has scheduled an October conference to spotlight digital assets, stablecoins, and tokenization, even as political challenges raise questions about the central bank’s independence.

• Fed sets Oct. 21 conference on digital assets, stablecoins, and tokenization
• Event to explore payment innovation and financial product tokenization
• Governor Christopher Waller highlights focus on safety, efficiency, and future opportunities
• Announcement follows July passage of GENIUS Act, requiring stablecoin regulation
• Fed independence under pressure as President Trump seeks to fire Governor Lisa Cook
• 600 economists warn that political interference could destabilize markets

The Federal Reserve announced it will host a conference on Oct. 21, 2025, focusing on emerging stablecoin use cases and the tokenization of financial services as part of ongoing efforts to modernize U.S. payment systems.

Fed Governor Christopher Waller, rather than Chair Jerome Powell, led the announcement, emphasizing the importance of innovation in payments:

“Innovation has been a constant in payments to meet the changing needs of consumers and businesses. I look forward to examining the opportunities and challenges of new technologies, bringing together ideas on how to improve safety and efficiency, and hearing from those shaping the future of payments.”

The conference also comes on the heels of the GENIUS Act, passed in July, which requires the Fed and U.S. Treasury to establish a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins.

The event announcement coincides with heightened political tension. President Donald Trump has attempted to dismiss Fed Governor Lisa Cook, alleging mortgage fraud. Cook has refused to step down and filed a lawsuit to block the move.

More than 600 economists issued an open letter warning the administration against undermining the Fed’s independence, cautioning that weakening protections around Fed governance would introduce political risk into interest rates—ultimately raising borrowing costs for U.S. families and businesses.

While courts weigh Cook’s case, legal experts note that the Fed’s unique status as a quasi-private entity requires that leadership removals meet strict “for cause” standards. Trump has also repeatedly signaled a desire to remove Chair Jerome Powell before his term expires in 2026, intensifying concerns over central bank autonomy.

Final Thought

As the Fed prepares to host a pivotal discussion on digital assets, stablecoins, and payment innovation, questions about its independence loom large. The October conference may highlight the promise of blockchain in financial infrastructure—but political pressure could overshadow its progress.