Key facts
- The final rule applies to payment stablecoin issuers under OCC jurisdiction.
- Requirements include reserve assets, redemption, risk management, audits, custody, and capital backstops.
- The GENIUS Act, signed into law in July 2025, restricts stablecoin issuance to permitted entities.
- Treasury Department proposed separate AML and sanctions rules in April.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has finalized its rule to implement the GENIUS Act, establishing clear requirements for stablecoin issuers under its oversight. The regulations, announced on Wednesday, will take effect on January 18, 2027, aligning with the law's implementation date. These rules address critical areas such as reserve assets, redemption processes, risk management, custody, and capital requirements. However, rules pertaining to anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions compliance will be handled in a separate rulemaking process involving the Treasury Department. Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould stated the framework provides strong standards for innovation, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent drew a parallel to historical currency legislation. The OCC indicated it would announce separately when it begins accepting applications and waiver requests from prospective issuers.