America’s Single-Layer Payment Path: Anchorage Digital’s Groundbreaking Argument

The lack of full payment access for institutions within the U.S. banking system creates a critical gap in financial inclusion.

A New Paradigm for Digital Banking and Payment Access

The U.S. payment volume, estimated at $2.5 trillion, is expanding in an environment where only a fraction of large institutional players can tap into the existing infrastructure. This limits competition and slows innovation.

Anchorage Digital’s Strategic Vision

Rachel Anderika of Anchorage Digital argues that any institution qualifying for the banking system should be granted a clear, equal pathway to the U.S. payment system. The firm proposes a suite of technical and regulatory measures to bridge this divide.

Regulatory Takeaways

■The Federal Reserve’s payment infrastructure is currently utilized by only 35% of eligible institutions.

■MiCA and SEC guidelines mandate the integration of crypto assets into payment systems.

■The open API proposed by Anchorage could cut transaction times from 30 minutes to 5 minutes.

■22% of investors believe an equal‑access model would boost market liquidity.

Market Participants’ Expectations

Corporate investors demand a payment framework that is transparent, low‑cost, and regulatory‑compliant. These demands are reshaping the strategic direction of both FinTech startups and traditional banks.

Deniz Arel – Director of Crypto Regulation and Compliance: Eliminating a class divide in America’s payment system will not only enhance financial efficiency but also accelerate mainstream adoption of the crypto ecosystem. Anchorage Digital’s open‑API and regulation‑aligned framework lay the groundwork for institutions to use crypto assets as real‑time payment instruments. This approach aligns with the compliance standards set by the SEC and MiCA, securing long‑term investment flows.