The US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has issued final regulations implementing the GENIUS Act, establishing a federal supervisory framework for payment stablecoins.
Announced October 21, the rules establish requirements for reserve assets, redemptions, risk management, audits, custody and regulatory supervision. They apply to qualifying US issuers and foreign stablecoin issuers subject to OCC jurisdiction.
The regulations take effect January 18, 2027, when payment stablecoin issuers must generally obtain appropriate authorization to operate in the United States.
The move follows earlier efforts to bring digital assets under federal oversight, including congressional debates over comprehensive cryptocurrency regulation.
It also comes as other financial jurisdictions implement their own frameworks, illustrated by European exchanges adapting to the EU's MiCA stablecoin requirements.
The OCC said rules covering anti-money laundering, Bank Secrecy Act obligations and sanctions compliance will follow separately in coordination with the Treasury Department.
The agency will also announce when it begins accepting issuer applications and waiver requests.