By BlockAI
Lead
The Federal Reserve will host a payments-innovation-conference on October 21 to examine stablecoins, tokenized assets, DeFi, and artificial intelligence in payments. Regulators, academics, and industry participants will join panels and livestreams to discuss how to improve safety and efficiency. Federal Reserve Governor Christopher J. Waller has previewed the agenda and emphasized coordination across agencies.
Payments-innovation-conference overview
The payments-innovation-conference will be a forum for practical policy and technical discussion. Panels will probe use cases for stablecoins and tokenized assets. Speakers will address how artificial intelligence in payments can speed processing and detect fraud. Remote viewers can follow the livestream on the Federal Reserve’s site.
Federal Reserve goals
The Federal Reserve frames the payments-innovation-conference as part of a broader push to modernize payment rails. The Fed seeks to align digital assets with traditional policy frameworks. Officials want to balance faster settlement, interoperability, and consumer protections. The conference will show how central banks think about innovation and risk.
Stablecoins & tokenized assets
Expect focused sessions on stablecoins and tokenized assets and their role in liquidity and settlement. Industry speakers will map tokenization to custody, market structure, and legal clarity. The Fed wants dialogue on how tokenized assets can reduce frictions without increasing systemic vulnerabilities. Researchers will present data and case studies.
AI in payments
Speakers will explain how artificial intelligence in payments enhances fraud detection and routing. Panels will also debate model risk, explainability, and governance for AI-driven payment tools. The conference will probe whether AI can safely compress compliance timelines and improve consumer outcomes.
Regulatory coordination matters
A key aim of the payments-innovation-conference is regulatory coordination across agencies. Sessions will reference SEC/CFTC joint clarifications and the CFTC’s Crypto Sprint as examples of cross-agency work. Officials will discuss how consistent rules can reduce market fragmentation and support healthy innovation.
Important details and context
The event will draw academic research, private-sector pilots, and central-bank perspectives. The Fed anticipates follow-up work to translate conference takeaways into rulemaking, guidance, or supervisory priorities. The payments-innovation-conference complements global efforts by the Bank for International Settlements and other authorities.
Additional information
Attendees should watch for practical next steps on stablecoin frameworks and pilot programs. The Fed may highlight proof-of-concept work on tokenized assets and public-private partnerships. Expect Q&A segments where industry participants press regulators on timelines and compliance costs.
Frequently asked questions about payments-innovation-conference (FAQ)
Q: who is organizing the payments-innovation-conference?
A: The Federal Reserve Board is hosting the payments-innovation-conference with regulators, academics, and industry participants.
Q: will the event cover stablecoins and DeFi?
A: Yes. The agenda includes focused sessions on stablecoins, tokenized assets, and DeFi interoperability and risks.
Q: can I watch the payments-innovation-conference remotely?
A: The Federal Reserve will livestream the payments-innovation-conference on its official website.
Q: how does the conference relate to SEC/CFTC work?
A: The payments-innovation-conference will discuss regulatory coordination and reference SEC/CFTC joint clarifications and the CFTC’s Crypto Sprint.
Sources to this article
Federal Reserve Board (2024) Payments Innovation Conference. Federal Reserve Board.
Waller, C.J. (2024) Remarks on payments innovation. Federal Reserve Board.
