Congress Debates Stablecoin Bill Amid Rising Bank And Crypto Tensions

HomeNews* U.S. lawmakers are moving forward with the Senate Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, with debates set to resume after Congress returns from recess.

• Stablecoins, which are digital tokens pegged to the U.S. dollar, are being discussed as a solution to reach underserved communities, especially after other federal payment programs did not meet expectations.
• Community banks are concerned that new stablecoin laws could cause deposits to leave local banks, while large banks are exploring the launch of a joint stablecoin.
• The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) will oversee stablecoin regulation, allowing banks to participate in crypto asset custody and related activities.
• Major stablecoin issuers like Circle are announcing significant moves, including upcoming public offerings, amid ongoing industry developments. Lawmakers in the United States are advancing the Senate Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, also known as the GENIUS Act, with plans to continue debates and hold a vote soon after Congress returns from its recess. The effort aims to provide regulatory guidelines for stablecoins as the demand for digital dollar solutions grows.

• Advertisement - Stablecoins are digital assets designed to maintain a stable value by pegging them to the U.S. dollar. The GENIUS Act’s progress comes after other federal payments systems, such as FedNow, did not meet their intended goals, prompting calls for more accessible digital financial solutions.

Concerns have surfaced within the traditional banking industry. Rebeca Romero Rainey, president and CEO of the Independent Community Bankers of America, stated, “ICBA urges the Senate to ensure the GENIUS Act provides regulatory clarity while including necessary guardrails to protect against the negative economic consequences that would result from community bank disintermediation… mitigating the risk of retail deposits migrating out of community banks — which have proven commitments to their communities and local credit creation — is critical.” You can read her full statement here.

Large financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citi, and Wells Fargo are looking into forming a unified stablecoin, according to multiple reports.

Within the cryptocurrency sector, speculation about mergers and acquisitions recently ended when Circle, the issuer of the widely used USD Coin (USDC), announced plans for a public offering on June 4.

Oversight for stablecoin activity will fall to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Acting Comptroller Rodney E. Hood said, “I’m also focused on expanding responsible bank activities involving digital assets to support the 50 million Americans who now hold some form of cryptocurrency. Regulated banks must keep up with this transformation.” The OCC’s most recent guidance allows national banks and federal savings associations to participate in crypto-asset custody, stablecoin activities, and distributed ledger networks—a type of database that records transactions securely.

The shift toward stablecoin regulation comes as both established banks and crypto companies seek to benefit from digital dollar initiatives. Ongoing legislative action and regulatory updates are expected to further shape the future of digital finances in the U.S.

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