South Africa's draft Crypto Assets Manual proposes banning corporate cross-border stablecoin transactions and treating transfers to self-custody wallets as capital outflows, prompting warnings from industry leaders like VALR CEO Farzam Ehsani that the rules could drive crypto activity offshore and reduce regulatory oversight.
Tether, the company behind the world's most widely used cryptocurrency token, has reached an estimated valuation of $200 billion, making it one of the most valuable private companies globally despite operating with limited public transparency.
JPYC Inc., issuer of Japan's yen-pegged stablecoin, has raised 6 billion yen ($38 million) in an extended Series B funding round, with logistics company AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings contributing 1 billion yen. The funds will be used to expand JPYC's payment network and Web3 financial ecosystem.
The Bank of Italy conducted a study testing 200 USDC remittances across 10 international payment corridors, finding that total costs varied widely from 0.3% to nearly 9% of the transaction amount, challenging assumptions that stablecoins are necessarily cheaper for cross-border payments.
Tether posted $1.5 billion in net operating profit for Q2 2026, down from $4.9 billion in Q2 2025. The company's excess reserves dropped from $8.23 billion to $4.11 billion, while USDT supply reached $184.6 billion and gold holdings increased by 14 tons.
Circle secured a limited-purpose trust charter from the New York Department of Financial Services, allowing it to operate Circle Internet Trust Company and adding state-level oversight to its existing federal OCC national trust approval.
A July 2026 study by Banca d'Italia testing 200 USDC transfers across 10 international payment corridors found total costs ranged from 0.3% to nearly 9%, questioning whether stablecoins consistently offer cheaper or faster remittances than traditional payment rails.
South Korea's Financial Services Commission is accelerating cryptocurrency regulation by proposing a consolidated Framework Act on Digital Assets that includes stablecoin rules, aiming to streamline the country's crypto regulatory framework.
Visa presented its most detailed stablecoin roadmap to date during its fiscal third-quarter earnings call on July 28, 2026, outlining plans to integrate stablecoin capabilities across its payment network. The company reported $11.6 billion in Q3 revenue.
The Bank Policy Institute and The Clearing House Association filed joint comment letters expressing general support for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's proposed payment stablecoin requirements while calling for regulatory coordination.
A South Korean court ruled that cryptocurrency exchange services, including stablecoin conversions for foreign nationals, require a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license, marking the first judicial decision on stablecoin exchange legality. The ruling sided with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) against DarwinKS, which had been operating under a regulatory sandbox.
The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency denied London-based payments company Wise's application for a national trust bank charter, citing deficiencies. Wise plans to resubmit a new application under the GENIUS Act stablecoin framework.
Ripple has launched Ripple Mint, an enterprise platform that enables institutional customers to mint, redeem, bridge, and manage Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin through web interface and API integration. The platform provides multichain bridging capabilities and automated management tools for institutional operations.
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon endorsed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act on July 23, splitting from major banking trade groups who oppose the bill's stablecoin provisions. Solomon argued the legislation would provide needed regulatory certainty.
USDC issuer Circle Internet Group has signed separate strategic agreements with South Korea's major fintech platforms Kakao Group and Viva Republica (Toss operator) to explore stablecoin payment infrastructure, remittances, and tokenized finance as the country works to establish a digital asset regulatory framework.
Tassat has unveiled Project NENYA, a stablecoin reserve management platform it expects to launch in early 2027. The proposed platform is designed to connect regulated stablecoin issuers with regional and midsize U.S. banks and facilitate reserve allocation across cash deposits and tokenized high-quality liquid assets. The announcement follows the passage of the GENIUS Act.
The BIS published research finding that USD-pegged stablecoins like USDT and USDC are largely unaffected by capital controls across 130+ economies, creating new channels for digital dollarization that challenge traditional monetary policy tools in emerging markets.
U.S. regulators reached the GENIUS Act's one-year rulemaking deadline on Saturday without issuing the final regulations needed to fully implement the federal stablecoin framework signed into law by President Trump in July 2025.
European Central Bank board member Piero Cipollone warned on Friday, July 17, 2026, that unchecked growth of stablecoins—particularly dollar-denominated tokens—poses a risk to European banks' retail deposit base, speaking at a gathering of Italian cooperative bankers.
Major investment banks including Mizuho and JPMorgan have downgraded Circle's stock and lowered earnings estimates, citing mounting competitive pressure from traditional banks developing shared stablecoin infrastructure and concerns over the CLARITY Act's regulatory framework.
Lawson, Japan's third-largest convenience store chain, will test accepting the JPYC yen-pegged stablecoin at its Tokyo Takanawa Gateway City location beginning early August, with merchant services provided by Netstars.
South Korea's government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its blockchain and digital asset sector in the second half of 2026, announcing plans for stablecoin legislation, crypto ETF frameworks, and a 2027 pilot program linking tokenized government bonds to its institutional CBDC infrastructure. The push comes as crypto trading volumes hit a two-year low amid broader market challenges.
Stablecoin issuer Circle received final regulatory approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank, marking a landmark moment for cryptocurrency regulation. The company's shares jumped 7-8% following the announcement.
Stablecoin issuer Circle received final regulatory approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to establish a national trust bank, marking a landmark moment for cryptocurrency regulation. The company's shares jumped 7-8% following the announcement.
Circle, issuer of USDC stablecoin, received final approval from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to operate as a bank, sending shares up 7%. Meanwhile, Ripple announced a multi-year sports marketing deal with the University of Kansas placing the XRP logo on athletic jerseys, as the company's prime brokerage cleared over $3 trillion annually.
A consortium of over 140 major financial and technology companies including Visa, Stripe, Mastercard, BlackRock, Coinbase, and Bank of New York Mellon launched Open USD (OUSD), a new stablecoin that shares reserve earnings with participants. The announcement caused Circle Internet Group shares to tumble 15% as the initiative directly challenges existing stablecoin leaders.
The Independent Community Bankers of America, representing thousands of small and mid-sized U.S. banks, is launching an advertising campaign warning of digital asset risks and targeting specific stablecoin reward language in the Clarity Act, escalating tensions between traditional banking and cryptocurrency sectors.
Ripple and Bitso are expanding their payments partnership by integrating Bitso's Mexican peso-backed stablecoin MXNB onto the XRP Ledger's decentralized exchange, targeting regulated liquidity for cross-border settlement in the US-Mexico corridor.
New York's Department of Financial Services has published draft stablecoin regulations to harmonize the state's existing framework with the federal GENIUS Act signed in July 2025. The proposed rules introduce new reserve limits, operational safeguards, and updated oversight requirements for USD-backed payment stablecoins, with public comments open until June 22.
Crypto venture firm Paradigm and DeFi advocacy group Hyperliquid Policy Center jointly submitted a letter to U.S. Treasury urging FinCEN and OFAC to narrow proposed anti-money laundering compliance rules for stablecoins, warning that overly broad obligations could negatively impact decentralized finance protocols.
Senator Elizabeth Warren demanded records from the CFTC regarding staff departures and oversight of prediction markets and crypto firms, calling the agency 'steamrolled,' as the House Ways and Means Committee separately weighs multiple crypto tax relief bills including provisions for stablecoins.
The U.S. Senate is moving forward with the Clarity Act, which blocks CBDCs while providing regulatory framework for stablecoins, as DTCC simultaneously announces integration of its tokenized securities platform with the Stellar blockchain, marking institutional adoption of public blockchains.
The US Senate is advancing stablecoin legislation through the Clarity Act while blocking CBDCs, as Andreessen Horowitz urges the Treasury to establish uniform stablecoin regulations under the GENIUS Act to preserve token fungibility and enable payment innovation.
A House of Lords committee called on the Bank of England to reconsider proposed stablecoin restrictions that would cap individual transactions at £20,000 and business transactions at £10 million, warning the rules could stifle development of a sterling-backed stablecoin market.
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party panel proposed creating a legal framework for cryptocurrency ETF trading and promoting yen-denominated stablecoins for settlement in Asia, in recommendations submitted to the finance minister.
European Central Bank board member Isabel Schnabel stated that increased stablecoin use could reinforce the dollar's global dominance, undermine some nations' monetary policy autonomy, and diminish the role of the euro.
Mastercard received a BitLicense from the New York State Department of Financial Services, enabling the payments giant to conduct digital asset activities including stablecoin and blockchain-based settlement infrastructure under one of the strictest regulatory frameworks in the U.S.
SoFi Technologies made its U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin available directly within the SoFi app to its 14.7 million members, marking the first instance of a U.S. national bank-issued stablecoin embedded in a consumer banking app.
Tether announced plans to launch GEL₮, a stablecoin pegged to Georgia's national currency, in partnership with the Georgian government. This represents one of the first cases of a sovereign government directly partnering with a stablecoin issuer to digitize its national currency on blockchain infrastructure.
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey stated he expects a regulatory conflict with the United States over stablecoin treatment, flagging concerns about run risk for the UK as U.S. lawmakers advance their own framework.
The Senate Banking Committee has set May 14, 2026 as the date to mark up the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, a major cryptocurrency market structure bill, despite resistance from banking lobby groups who rejected a compromise on stablecoin yield provisions.
Anchorage Digital CEO Nathan McCauley revealed that as many as 20 financial institutions and large tech companies are waiting to issue their own stablecoins with the U.S.-regulated custody firm, indicating significant institutional interest in stablecoin issuance.
The Senate's crypto market structure bill, known as the CLARITY Act, faces mounting pressure to advance after months of delays caused by negotiations over stablecoin yield provisions. Senator Thom Tillis signals readiness to move forward to hearings as available Senate floor time diminishes and political uncertainty around leadership grows.
BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, submitted a comment letter opposing a potential 20% cap on tokenized reserve assets in the GENIUS Act, which would limit products like its BUIDL fund. The firm urged the OCC to drop the cap idea and expand eligible assets.
Coinbase and Senate leaders finalized a deal on stablecoin reward provisions, resolving a standoff with the banking lobby. The compromise prohibits rewards that mimic bank deposits while allowing 'bona fide' transactions, clearing a key obstacle for the CLARITY Act's advancement.
Stablecoin issuer Tether posted over $1 billion in Q1 profit and reached a record $8.23 billion reserve buffer, while announcing that its first full audit has begun. The company holds approximately $141 billion in U.S. Treasuries.
Canada's Bill C-25, the Strong and Free Elections Act, cleared second reading with Conservative support and heads to committee. The legislation would prohibit cryptocurrency contributions to political campaigns, even as the country expands oversight of stablecoins and digital asset markets.
Morgan Stanley debuted a government money market fund specifically designed for stablecoin issuers to hold reserves, requiring a minimum $10 million investment. The fund is aligned with GENIUS Act requirements and positions the Wall Street giant as a reserve manager for the stablecoin industry.
More than 100 cryptocurrency companies and industry organizations sent a letter to the US Senate Banking Committee urging action on the CLARITY Act market structure bill. The legislation faces mounting delays over stablecoin yield provisions, with limited floor time remaining in 2026.
A consortium of 12 major European banks including BNP Paribas, BBVA, ING, and UniCredit is partnering with Fireblocks to develop a regulated euro-denominated stablecoin under MiCA regulations, targeting launch in second half of 2026.
The Bank for International Settlements warned that stablecoins act more like ETFs than money and called for global rules to prevent fragmentation across the $300 billion market. BIS general manager Pablo Hernández de Cos said dollar stablecoins could pose risks to financial stability.
French Finance Minister publicly supports euro-pegged stablecoin initiatives under MiCA framework and urges European banks to expand euro stablecoins and tokenized deposits as dollar-pegged supply exceeds $300 billion.
Senator Tillis delayed the stablecoin yield draft for the CLARITY Act amid fresh concerns from banking groups, with the latest text reportedly maintaining a ban on rewards for idle stablecoin holdings while other yield-related provisions remain under negotiation.
The U.S. Treasury Department issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on April 8 requiring payment stablecoin issuers to implement anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance measures for secondary market transactions. The proposal sets new standards for combating illicit finance in stablecoin markets.
The UK's FCA launched a consultation on proposed crypto regulations covering stablecoins, trading platforms, custody, and staking, with rules set to take effect by October 2027. The regulator is seeking industry feedback on its interpretation of regulated cryptoasset activities under the upcoming framework.
The Trump administration backed a proposal for stablecoin issuers to offer yield to investors, drawing pushback from the American Bankers Association which disputes White House claims that stablecoin yield doesn't threaten bank deposits.
A Bank of France official advocated for stricter Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations on non-euro stablecoins as European lawmakers advance reporting requirements for self-custodial crypto wallets above €5,000.
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong publicly supported passing the CLARITY Act after Treasury Secretary Bessent urged Congress to advance the crypto bill, reversing the company's earlier withdrawal of support over stablecoin reward provisions.
White House Council of Economic Advisers released analysis finding that banning stablecoin yield products would boost community bank lending by only 0.02% while imposing significant costs on consumers, countering banking industry lobbying efforts in the CLARITY Act debate.
South Korea's ruling party drafted proposal to regulate stablecoins and real-world assets under existing financial laws, reportedly banning yield on stablecoins and requiring technical interoperability standards.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation approved a proposed rule establishing federal oversight standards for stablecoin issuers, including reserve requirements limiting 40% of reserves at a single custodian. The proposal explicitly excludes stablecoins from deposit insurance protections.
Treasury's FinCEN and OFAC jointly proposed a rule on April 10, 2026, formally treating stablecoin issuers as financial institutions under the Bank Secrecy Act. Issuers must implement full AML/CFT programs with customer due diligence, suspicious activity reporting, and the technical capability to block or freeze illicit on-chain transactions, alongside mandatory OFAC sanctions screening.
Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott is expected to schedule a markup of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act in the final two weeks of April, with renewed optimism following revised stablecoin yield compromise language.
The US Department of the Treasury published an 87-page notice of proposed rulemaking seeking public comment on state-level regulatory regimes for stablecoins with market caps under $10 billion, marking the first formal implementation step of the GENIUS Act.
Draft legislation circulating among stakeholders would create a de minimis tax exemption for dollar-pegged stablecoin transactions, but explicitly excludes Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, drawing criticism from Bitcoin advocates who argue the bill 'picks winners and losers.'
Stablecoin issuer Tether has hired Big Four accounting firm KPMG to conduct its first full independent audit of USDT reserves and brought in PwC to prepare internal systems, according to the Financial Times. The move comes as Tether pursues regulatory approval under the GENIUS Act and eyes a multibillion-dollar equity raise.
Senators and the White House have reached a tentative agreement to resolve the contentious stablecoin yield restrictions in the CLARITY Act, though the compromise has drawn mixed reactions from the crypto industry. Coinbase reportedly continues to oppose the updated draft language despite the agreement.
Circle Internet Group shares fell as much as 22% in their worst day ever after draft provisions in the CLARITY Act indicated potential limits on stablecoin yield distribution. The proposed legislation may restrict rewards on stablecoin balances, though analysts at Bernstein argue the selloff is overdone as restrictions target distributors rather than issuers.
The OCC released a 376-page proposed rule on February 25, 2026, marking the first substantive federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoin issuance under the GENIUS Act. The proposal covers licensing, 100% reserve backing, a two-business-day redemption window, a $5M minimum capital floor, and a strict prohibition on paying yield to holders.
The FDIC Board approved its first proposed rule under the GENIUS Act on December 16, 2025, establishing the application process for FDIC-supervised banks seeking to issue payment stablecoins through a subsidiary. The rule sets filing requirements, evaluation factors, processing timelines, and an appeals process, with safety and soundness as the primary criterion.
President Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law on July 18, 2025, making it the first federal legislation to regulate cryptocurrency in U.S. history. The law requires 100% reserve backing for payment stablecoins, designates the OCC as primary regulator for non-bank issuers, and explicitly classifies compliant stablecoins as neither securities nor commodities.
