As previously reported, the White House has signed an Executive Order seeking to remove regulatory barriers to Fintech innovation and new and improved financial services. The Trump administration has been mostly supportive of Fintech innovation in contrast to the previous administration, which sought to protect traditional finance firms, largely by undermining digital asset innovation.
The broad policy objective is for the US to lead the world in financial innovation. As the US is home to the world’s largest financial industry, this is an important policy goal. Finance is a strategic advantage for the US, and policy must be crafted to support its prominence.
As part of the EO, the White House has produced a Fact Sheet outlining the key aspects of the new policy. This Fact Sheet is republished below.
- The Order directs Federal financial regulators to review existing regulations, guidance, supervisory practices, and application processes to identify those that could be updated to facilitate innovation and greater competition in the provision of financial services, while maintaining safety and soundness.
- The Order directs the regulators, informed by those reviews, to take steps to encourage innovation by, and growth of, fintech firms and federally regulated institutions of all sizes.
- The Order asks the Federal Reserve to conduct the same regulatory review and to evaluate the legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks governing access to Reserve Bank payment accounts and payment services by uninsured depository institutions and non-bank financial companies.
- The Order asks the Federal Reserve to report on its findings regarding:
- Legal authorities of the Federal Reserve to extend access to Federal Reserve payment accounts and payment services by uninsured depositories and non-bank fintechs;
- Options for expanding such access, subject to appropriate risk management requirements;
- Legal impediments that preclude direct access, along with legislative or regulatory options that could enable such access while mitigating risks; and
- Authorities and policies, both at the Reserve Bank and Federal Reserve Board of Governors levels, governing access to Reserve Bank payment accounts and services.
PROMOTING FINANCIAL INNOVATION AND CUTTING OUT REGULATORY PROTECTIONS FOR INCUMBENTS: President Trump is acting to ensure that the United States is the global leader in financial innovation by removing outdated regulatory burdens that do not fit the digital age.
- Fintech firms provide a range of innovative services—from banking and payment processes to brokerage, securities, and custodial services—and a broad range of solutions that enhance low-cost and efficient access to financial markets, and create economic opportunity for all Americans.
- To foster Americans’ ability to benefit from these services, the Federal government must update its outdated regulations to allow integration of digital assets and other novel financial technology into traditional financial services and payment systems.
- Rules governing access to various payment services and resource-intensive requirements related to financial institutions’ third-party risk management favor incumbents at the expense of innovators.
- Other financial regulations, guidance, and policies are relics of a time when financial services were predominantly provided in brick-and-mortar-centric settings and must be updated to reflect the modern age, the digital economy, and the benefits that technology can offer to all Americans, including lowering the costs of financial services.
- This Order will help cement the United States as the world leader in financial technology innovation, which will help drive down costs and create greater economic opportunities for hardworking Americans.
LEADING THE WORLD IN FINANCIAL INNOVATION: President Trump is establishing the United States as a leader in financial and other cutting-edge technologies by cutting red tape and prioritizing innovation and global competitiveness – common-sense measures that will lower costs and increase economic opportunities for all Americans.
- In his first week in office, President Trump signed an Executive Order to drive innovation and economic opportunity by securing the United States’ position as the world’s leader in the digital asset economy and establishing regulatory clarity for digital financial technology.
- In March 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and a U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile, positioning the U.S. as a world leader in government digital asset strategy.
- In March 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to modernize how the government handles money, switching from old-fashioned paper-based payments to fast and secure electronic payments.
- In December 2025, President Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum to ensure America’s leadership in 6G development to ensure U.S. dominance and global competitiveness in cutting-edge technologies.