Svmuu News: Kraken Financial, the banking division of Kraken, has received "Master Account" approval from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (Federal Reserve), becoming the first crypto company to connect to the Federal Reserve’s core payment system (Federal Reserve). This allows it to use the same payment channels as thousands of banks and credit unions.This account will allow Kraken Financial to connect directly to the Fedwire interbank payment system, which processes over $4 trillion in fund transfers daily. Previously, the division relied on intermediary banks for fund transfers.Kraken Financial holds a special banking license in Wyoming specifically for crypto companies. The approval granted is for limited master account privileges and does not include the full range of banking services available to banks, such as holding reserves at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (Federal Reserve) to earn interest. The Kansas City branch of the Federal Reserve, which reviewed the application, announced the approval on Wednesday.Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Kraken, said the move will enhance the reliability and efficiency of fiat currency deposits into and out of the digital asset market. Banking groups have criticized the decision; Paige Pidano Paridon, co-head of regulatory affairs at the Bank Policy Institute, said the decision lacked transparency regarding the approval process and risk mitigation measures.Founded in 2011, Kraken completed a funding round last November at a $20 billion valuation and has filed plans for an IPO. (WSJ)