OCC Sets Jan. 18, 2027, Start Date for U.S. Stablecoin Rules

A new OCC framework for payment stablecoin issuers takes effect Jan. 18, 2027, the same date as the GENIUS Act. The rules cover reserves, redemptions, risk management, audits, reporting, supervision, custody, capital and issuer applications. Permitted issuers must keep identifiable reserve assets valued at least equal to the payment stablecoins they have issued. Eligible assets include cash, demand deposits, certain Treasury securities, specified repurchase agreements and qualifying government money market funds. The effective date does not automatically shut every stablecoin issuer out of the U.S. market. Existing U.S.