OCC Finalises US Stablecoin Rules Ahead Of January 2027 Start

TL;DR: The OCC has published its final GENIUS Act rule, setting out how payment stablecoin issuers under its supervision will be regulated from January 18, 2027.

America’s national banking regulator has put considerably more detail around the new federal framework for dollar-backed stablecoins. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued its final rule on Wednesday, covering issuers under its jurisdiction and certain custody activities carried out by regulated institutions.

The regulations address eligible reserve assets, redemption, risk management, supervisory reporting, custody, applications and oversight of foreign issuers. In other words, the debate is moving from whether the United States should regulate stablecoin issuance to what a company must actually do to issue one.

There is an important distinction in the rollout. The rule takes effect on January 18, 2027, rather than immediately. The OCC also made clear that Bank Secrecy Act, anti-money-laundering and OFAC sanctions requirements will be covered by a separate rulemaking coordinated with the Treasury Department.

For banks and stablecoin businesses considering the US market, the rule provides a concrete compliance framework. It does not, however, mean every dollar token has already received a federal licence. Applications, supervisory approvals and the practical work of meeting the requirements still matter.

Written by the News Desk and edited by Samuel Rae.