Topic: Instant Payments

The Federal Reserve is set to launch FedNow, an instant payment clearinghouse that will charge four cents per transaction. While marketed as a way to speed up government disbursements like stimulus checks, critics view it as a precursor to a retail CBDC. Simultaneously, BlackRock has filed for a Bitcoin ETF, signaling a shift in how major financial institutions interact with digital assets.

Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard is being considered for a top leadership role, bringing her previous advocacy for a "resilient instant payment system" into focus. Her proposals are viewed as the foundation for a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) that would facilitate Universal Basic Income and direct government monitoring of consumer spending.