A good point is individuals could be better off if they could open an account at the Fed and have access to "real" dollars rather than the numbers that are just bank IOUs

Stablecoins are closer in this direction than banks but only if they actually maintain 1:1 reserves. One advantage is that b/c they are protocols there is less need to seek returns to make payroll, rent, and profit. Another is more transparency.

But also... at this point such a stablecoin is basically a CBDC...