FDIC to Release Stablecoin Rules Under GENIUS Act This Week

The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is preparing for a major step in regulating stablecoins. Acting Chair Travis Hill announced that the agency plans to release its proposed framework for the GENIUS Act later this month. This move will establish how stablecoin issuers are licensed and supervised across the country.

What the GENIUS Act Means

Signed into law by President Donald Trump in July, the GENIUS Act, short for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, creates the first federal regulatory structure specifically for stablecoins. 

Instead of relying on a patchwork of state rules, the act provides a unified approach, assigning responsibilities to both federal and state authorities. The FDIC, Federal Reserve, OCC, and NCUA recently participated in a House Financial Services Committee hearing to explain how they will implement the law.

FDIC’s Role: Supervising Bank-Linked Stablecoin Issuers

Hill explained that the FDIC will directly supervise and approve subsidiaries of FDIC-insured banks that plan to issue stablecoins. Any bank under FDIC oversight must go through a formal application process before its subsidiary can launch a stablecoin. The FDIC will also establish financial safeguards for these issuers, including capital requirements, liquidity standards, and rules on how reserve assets are managed.

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The first proposed rule, detailing the FDIC’s application framework, is expected later this month. A second rule, which will set prudential requirements for payment stablecoin issuers, is expected early next year. Together, these rules will form the foundation of federal stablecoin oversight.

Currently, the FDIC’s direct supervision applies only to banks and their subsidiaries. Non-bank stablecoin issuers will remain under state regulations unless future federal rules expand oversight to them.

Looking Beyond Stablecoins: Tokenized Deposits

The FDIC is also exploring tokenized deposits, reflecting a broader shift in how traditional banks interact with digital assets. Hill confirmed that the agency is drafting guidance on the regulatory status of these deposits, following recommendations from the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets issued in July. This suggests that U.S. regulators are preparing for a future where more banking products could be tokenized.

Overall, the upcoming proposals mark a significant step toward providing structure, clarity, and stronger oversight for the stablecoin sector. As the FDIC moves closer to unveiling its framework, the U.S. is setting new standards for how banks and their affiliates participate in the digital asset economy.

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