Bipartisan PACE Act Targets Cheaper Payments for Fintechs and Crypto Firms

US Reps. Young Kim (R-CA) and Sam Liccardo (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Payments Access and Consumer Efficiency (PACE) Act on Tuesday, proposing a federal framework that would give fintechs and crypto companies direct access to Federal Reserve payment rails.

The bill targets a longstanding bottleneck in US payments. Currently, only legacy banks can connect directly to the Fed’s clearing and settlement systems, charging nonbank providers markups of up to 100 times the Fed’s own per-item fee, according to the bill’s fact sheet.

What the PACE Act Would Change

Under the proposed law, qualified nonbank payment companies could register for an optional federal supervisory framework administered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

Registered providers would gain access to Fedwire, FedNow, and FedACH.

The bill requires providers to maintain 1:1 reserves in safe, liquid assets and meet risk management and recordkeeping standards.

It also aligns with the “skinny master accounts” concept championed by Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller.

Crypto exchange Kraken became the first digital asset firm to receive such an account earlier in March.

The measure arrives alongside other pro-crypto legislative efforts, including the GENIUS Act for stablecoins.

However, the PACE Act focuses narrowly on payment infrastructure rather than market structure or token classification.

“We can reduce the burden of bank fees borne by too many American families by enabling broader access to innovative payment systems that deliver cheaper, faster, more reliable service,” Eleanor Terrett reported, citing Rep. Sam Liccardo.

Industry Groups Rally Behind the Bill

The Blockchain Association, Crypto Council for Innovation, Financial Technology Association, and the Digital Chamber all endorsed the PACE Act.

Blockchain Association CEO Summer Mersinger called it an “important step forward,” noting that digital asset payment companies have long been “locked out” of financial infrastructure available to competitors.

The bill now heads to committee, where traditional banking lobbies may push back against provisions that reduce their role as intermediaries in payments.