Green Sheet interviews ETA's Scott Talbott before Fintech Policy Forum

The Electronic Transactions Association will host its annual Fintech Policy Forum on Sept. 18, 2025, at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.. With the theme Policy Meets Innovation, the event will bring together legislators, regulators and payments industry leaders to explore how Washington is shaping the future of digital assets, AI, data privacy, compliance and more.

Ahead of the Forum, The Green Sheet touched base with Scott Talbott, executive vice president at the ETA, about the association's mission, its advocacy work and what attendees can expect from this year's program.

1. At ETA's Fintech Policy Forum on Sept 18, digital assets, stablecoins, AI risks and data privacy will be front and center. Which of these topics do you believe will see the most rapid regulatory action from Washington in the year ahead, and what markers are you watching for?

We expect Congress and federal regulators to continue to define the policy framework for digital assets, specifically, private sable coins. By providing legal certainty, it opens the door for digital assets to go mainstream. Watch for the CLARITY Act to move through Congress and the federal regulators to proposed rules to implement the GENIUS Act, which was signed into law earlier this year.

2. As Executive Vice President of ETA, what are the top policy priorities you are carrying into this forum, and how do you balance the often competing pressures of innovation, consumer protection and regulatory risk?

The Forum's agenda reflects ETA's agenda, but we are most focused on policies around digital assets, fighting fraud and the second Open Banking rule proposed by the CFPB.      

By bringing together ETA member executives and policymakers into the same room, the event allows both parties to work towards common goals of meshing consumer protection with innovation. We view these two goals as complementary, not competing, that co-exist from planning to delivery of all new products and services.

3. ETA has advocated for a single, uniform, comprehensive federal data privacy framework to preempt a patchwork of state laws. What are the biggest hurdles to achieving that, and what compromises or structures do you believe will be necessary to win support?

While everyone agrees there is a need for privacy laws, there are two challenges to enacting a uniform national standard for privacy: 1) The two congressional committees with jurisdiction over the privacy issue – this doubles the number of hearings and members who need to sign off on any national privacy solution. 2) The 20 states with comprehensive privacy laws may object to a federal privacy solution.

The payments industry is willing to accept a tougher standard if it is uniform across the country. By contrast any new privacy law shall not hinder the ability of the payments industry to use continue data to fight fraud.

4. Regarding digital assets, crypto and stablecoins, how do you see ETA's role evolving? What kind of regulatory framework do you believe strikes the right balance between risk mitigation (financial stability, fraud/AML, etc.) and fostering innovation?

ETA views digital assets as an important new currency, and the industry is working hard to incorporate the benefits of digital assets into the modern payments systems. ETA's role will shift from advocating for appropriate laws and regulations that encourage the use of digital assets and to helping ETA members incorporate digital assets into the existing payments system.

5. Agentic AI and emerging technological risks are now in the policy spotlight. What are some specific risk vectors in payments that worry you the most, and what role do you see for industry-led standards or self-regulation versus formal rulemaking?

With respect to AI and other innovation, existing laws and regulations are largely sufficient to cover these activities. We are most concerned with addressing fraud and the existing state efforts to artificially restrict the ability of the industry to be compensated for providing fast, efficient, secure services.

In most instances, industry-led standards are preferable. This is especially true where technology moves faster than policy and flexibility is needed to adjust operating standards to match innovation. Formal rulemaking is preferred where legal certainty is required.

The two approaches can co-exist. A good example is Open Banking where establishing the technical standards around APIs are best addressed by an industry-led coalition, but we need formal rulemaking to establish a liability framework. Regardless of which approach is called for, ETA works with policymakers and its members to ensure the best result is achieved.

6. ETA's mission is to serve its members and advance the payments profession through education, advocacy and the exchange of information. As the payments landscape changes rapidly, how is ETA evolving its services or strategy to make sure it remains relevant and valuable—especially for smaller fintechs, startups or firms outside of big financial institutions?

Like the payments industry, ETA is constantly evolving to deliver value to our members not just where they are now, but where they are headed. We have deepened our resources and offerings in our three core membership verticals: advocacy, education and compliance. By delivering across these three verticals, ETA remains at the forefront for our members.

Note: The ETA Fintech Policy Forum takes place Sep. 18, 2025, at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. Registration is $79 for ETA members and $99 for non-members. To secure your spot, visit the registration page. 

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