In a daring twist, the Federal Reserve may soon grant fintech and blockchain firms direct access to its vaunted payment rails. This bold plan could forever alter the U.S. financial infrastructure, or, depending on your perspective, give the blockchain world the VIP pass it’s been begging for. Governor Christopher J. Waller, at the Payments Innovation Conference in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 21, let slip that the Fed is exploring a new “payment account” concept. Oh yes, this could mean that the U.S. central bank might soon open its doors to fintechs and crypto firms, letting them glide smoothly into the world of traditional finance.