Anchorage Digital Bank Applies for Fed Master Account

Anchorage Digital Bank has applied for a Federal Reserve master account on August 28, 2025, positioning itself as the first federally chartered crypto bank to access the U.S. central banking system.

This move, led by CEO Nathan McCauley, marks a significant step in banking integration for crypto, potentially altering institutional custody dynamics.

Anchorage Digital Bank’s Strategic Move

Anchorage Digital Bank has formally applied for a Federal Reserve master account. This application aims to position Anchorage as the first federally chartered crypto bank to integrate directly with the U.S. central banking system as seen in the Fed’s database update.

Nathan McCauley, co-founder and CEO, leads this strategic move, although he initially declined to comment in June. Anchorage has a national trust bank charter from the OCC, which is a prerequisite for such Federal Reserve access.

“Anchorage’s master account filing confirms months of speculation after Nathan McCauley declined to comment in June. Fed database confirms direct application.” — Eleanor Terrett, Podcast Host, Crypto In America

Financial and Market Implications

The application could allow Anchorage to bypass payment intermediaries, facilitating its institutional services. This move may affect the crypto market by expanding custody options for significant players like ETH and BTC.

Financial implications are significant, such as the potential for Anchorage to support large asset managers’ activities. Broader access to stablecoin operations may follow, aligning with Anchorage’s existing services for major cryptocurrencies.

Setting Precedents and Potential Outcomes

The application sets a noteworthy precedent as no other digital asset bank has previously secured such Federal Reserve access. Anchorage’s move may encourage similar institutions to explore Federal pathways.

Potential outcomes include enhanced custody solutions and broader institutional participation. Using historical trends, Anchorage’s position may influence crypto regulatory frameworks, potentially affecting governance token custody and DeFi protocol integration as markets evolve.