Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken's banking unit has gained access to the Federal Reserve's payments system through a limited-purpose account, the first U.S. digital-asset bank to do so as the sector deepens its reach into mainstream finance. Through its Fed master account, Kraken Financial can link directly to core U.S. payment systems such as Fedwire, avoiding intermediary banks and enabling faster, more efficient fiat transfers for institutional clients, while reducing operational complexity and costs, the company said in a blog post on Wednesday. While Kraken would not receive the wider range of privileges granted ... (full story)