[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 28, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53692-53693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21085]


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NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

[NCUA 2021-0102]
RIN 3133-AF39


Request for Information and Comment on Digital Assets and Related 
Technologies

AGENCY: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

ACTION: Request for information and comment; extension of comment 
period.

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SUMMARY: On July 27, 2021, the NCUA Board (Board) published in the 
Federal Register a document entitled ``Request for Information and 
Comment on Digital Assets and Related Technologies'' (RFI) and invited 
comments from interested parties regarding the current and potential 
impact of activities connected to digital assets and related 
technologies on federally insured credit unions (FICUs), related 
entities, and the NCUA. The Board noted that it was broadly interested 
in receiving input on commenters' views in this area, including current 
and potential uses in the credit union system, and the risks associated 
with them. To allow interested persons more time to consider and submit 
their comments, the Board has decided to extend the comment period for 
an additional 30 days.

DATES: The comment period for the RFI published July 27, 2021, at 86 FR 
40213, is extended. Responses to the RFI must now be received on or 
before October 27, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any one of the following methods 
(Please send comments by one method only):
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments for NCUA Docket 2021-
0102.
     Fax: (703) 518-6319. Include ``[Your name] Comments on 
``Request for Information and Comment on Digital Assets and Related 
Technologies.''
     Mail: Address to Melane Conyers-Ausbrooks, Secretary of 
the Board, National Credit Union Administration, 1775 Duke Street, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3428.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Same as mailing address.
    Public Inspection: You may view all public comments on the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov as submitted, except 
for those we cannot post for technical reasons. NCUA will not edit or 
remove any identifying or contact information from the public comments 
submitted. Due to social distancing measures in effect, the usual 
opportunity to inspect paper copies of comments in the NCUA's law 
library is not currently available. After social distancing measures 
are relaxed, visitors may make an appointment to review paper copies by 
calling (703) 518-6540 or emailing [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Policy and Analysis: Scott Borger, 
Senior Financial Modeler and Todd Sims, National Payment Systems 
Officer, Office of National Examinations and Supervision, (703) 518-
6640; Legal: Thomas Zells, Senior Staff Attorney, Office of General 
Counsel, (703) 518-6540; or by mail at National Credit Union 
Administration, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 27, 2021, the Board published in the 
Federal Register an RFI inviting comments from interested parties 
regarding the current and potential impact of activities connected to 
digital assets and related technologies on FICUs, related entities, and 
the NCUA.\1\ The Board published the RFI with the aim of engaging the 
broad credit union industry and other stakeholders and learning how 
emerging DLT and DeFi applications are viewed and used. The RFI 
emphasized that the NCUA hopes to learn how the credit union community 
is using these emerging technologies and gain additional feedback as to 
the role the NCUA can play in safeguarding the financial system and 
consumers in the context of these emerging technologies. In order to 
continue to

[[Page 53693]]

fulfill its mandate to maintain a safe and sound credit union system 
and protect credit union members, the NCUA is working to better 
understand the implications of these changes and the associated 
benefits or challenges that may exist.
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    \1\ 86 FR 40213 (July 27, 2021).
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    The RFI provided a 60-day public comment period that closed on 
September 27, 2021. Given the complexity of the subject and the breadth 
of the request, the Board believes it is necessary to extend the 
comment period to give all interested parties sufficient time to 
consider the RFI and provide input. The Board believes that extending 
the comment period for an additional 30 days is appropriate. This 
extension should allow interested parties more time to prepare 
responses without delaying the NCUA's review of the comments already 
received.
    As stated in the RFI, the Board is seeking comments on the current 
and potential impact of activities related to DLT and DeFi on the 
credit union system. The NCUA remains broadly interested in receiving 
input on parties' views in this area, including current and potential 
uses. Commenters are also encouraged to discuss any and all relevant 
issues they believe the Board should consider with respect to these 
technologies and related matters. It is worth reiterating that the RFI 
did not modify any existing requirements applicable to FICUs and does 
not grant FICUs any new authorities or limit any existing authorities. 
The RFI also did not speak to the permissibility or impermissibility of 
any specific activity.
    Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1756 and 1784.

    By the National Credit Union Administration Board.
Melane Conyers-Ausbrooks,
Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2021-21085 Filed 9-23-21; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 7535-01-P