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United States

GENIUS Act (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act)

PassedRegulator(s): OCC, Federal Reserve, FDIC, Treasury / FinCEN / OFAC, State regulators (substantially-similar regimes)Next review: 2026-07-20

Federal framework for 'permitted payment stablecoin issuers' — bank subsidiaries, OCC-chartered nonbanks, or state-regulated issuers under substantially-similar regimes.

Enacted 18 Jul 2025. Implementation rulemaking in progress: OCC proposed rule 2 Mar 2026; FinCEN/OFAC AML/sanctions NPRM; Treasury state-regime NPRM Apr 2026. Statutory rulemaking deadline 18 Jul 2026. Act effective earlier of 18 Jan 2027 or 120 days after final regs.

📋 Key Requirements

Reserves1:1 backing in cash, insured deposits, short-term Treasuries, and similar HQLA; monthly reserve disclosure
RedemptionTimely redemption at par; clear redemption policy required
CapitalPrudential standards per primary federal/state regulator; issuance restricted to permitted issuers
AttestationMonthly certifications by CEO/CFO; examinations by primary regulator; AML/BSA program required
LicensingFederal (OCC) or qualifying state pathway; unpermitted issuance prohibited after effective date

📅 Timeline & Upcoming Deadlines

  • 2025-07-18

    GENIUS Act signed into law

    secondary
  • 2026-03-02

    OCC issues proposed rule implementing GENIUS Act

    primary
  • 2026-04

    Treasury NPRM on 'substantially similar' state regimes (comments due 2 Jun 2026); FinCEN/OFAC joint AML/sanctions NPRM

    primary
  • 2026-07-18

    Statutory deadline for implementing regulations (1 year from enactment)

    secondary
  • 2027-01-18

    Act takes effect (earlier of this date or 120 days after final regs)

    secondary
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