OCC Sets Stablecoin Issuer Standards Before GENIUS Act Deadline

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) finalized federal standards for payment stablecoin issuers on Oct. 21, setting requirements ahead of the GENIUS Act’s Jan. 18, 2027, effective date. The rule covers reserve assets, redemptions, risk management, audits and custody, and includes capital and operational backstops. It applies to issuers under OCC jurisdiction, including bank subsidiaries, nonbank firms seeking federal approval, and certain foreign and state-qualified issuers. Some custody activities at OCC-supervised institutions are also covered. The OCC has not set a date for opening applications.