The Fed Should 'Get Serious' About Crypto, Says Former FDIC Chair

Former chair of the FDIC, Sheila Bair, writes on the viability of CBDCs and their need for further investigation.

AccessTimeIconJun 11, 2018 at 5:00 a.m. UTC
Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 8:02 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

The Federal Reserve should seriously consider its own cryptocurrency, the former head of the U.S. government's deposit insurance corporation wrote in an opinion article last week.

In a piece published Friday by Yahoo Finance, Sheila Bair, the former chair of the US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), emphasized the pressing need for the Federal Reserve Bank to seriously consider the prospects of a central bank-issued digital currency (CBDC).

She warned:

"If it does not stay ahead of this technology, not only could banking be disrupted — but the Fed itself could also be at risk."

A CBDC, in theory, would not have the same kind of culpability to large fluctuations in value given proper oversight and management by a centralized authority, she said. Beyond this, Bair points out that centralized digital currencies would be "much more effective tools for conducting monetary policy to address economic cycles."

Currently, the status quo allows the government to stimulate and slow economic activity in periods of recession and boom, respectively, through government-sponsored securities sales directed towards domestic banks.

But what if the "FedCoin" – a digital currency issued and backed by the Federal Reserve Bank, was held by all consumers? Then, changes to interest rates encouraging savings and in other times, spending, would be felt by consumers directly rather than through the policy changes of domestic banks.

Bair counters such a perceived benefit to centralized digital currencies by offering a potential downside – credit availability. Consumers wanting to hold all of their wealth in CBDCs would naturally cause credit deficits if parameters are not put in place ensuring banks and other financial businesses remain competitive against a hypothetical "FedCoin".

Bair's comments on the viable use of CBDCs by the central bank are timely as government officials around the world are also chiming into the conversation considering the merits of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin in structure but state-controlled in vision.

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.