The letter obtained by Coinbase shows that the FDIC had secretly halted the cryptocurrency business of American banks

ChainCatcher news, according to CoinDesk, based on communication records obtained by a research firm commissioned by Coinbase, it was revealed that in 2022, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) suspended or blocked cryptocurrency banking operations in many U.S. banks.

The research institution hired by Coinbase, History Associates Inc., filed a lawsuit against the FDIC and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in June of this year, ultimately gaining access to some internal communication records of the FDIC. A large number of heavily redacted documents released on Friday show that this banking regulatory agency had halted digital asset-related products and services offered or planned by several banks.

According to one of the 23 letters shared by the cryptocurrency exchange, the regulator wrote: "We urge you to suspend all activities related to crypto assets. The FDIC will notify all banks under its supervision when it makes a decision regarding the regulatory expectations for engaging in activities related to crypto assets."

Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal believes that these letters are conclusive evidence that crypto companies have been systematically cut off from banking services by regulators. Paul Grewal stated, "The FDIC has developed a coordinated plan and executed it without hesitation, depriving a legitimate U.S. industry of banking services. This should give everyone pause."