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Stablecoins Face Major Regulatory Overhaul
US lawmakers are advancing two bipartisan bills that would impose strict reserve requirements on stablecoin issuers. The proposed STABLE Act and GENIUS Act aim to prevent another TerraUSD-style collapse by mandating 1:1 asset backing for all dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies.
What's Changing for Crypto
Under both bills, stablecoin issuers must maintain reserves in:
- Cash and cash equivalents
- Short-term US Treasuries
- Federal Reserve deposits
- Highly liquid money market funds
Monthly disclosures would be required showing exact reserve composition, with CEOs personally certifying accuracy. Independent auditors would verify these reports quarterly.
Who Can Issue Stablecoins?
The legislation creates three pathways:
- Bank subsidiaries regulated by federal agencies
- Non-bank entities approved by OCC
- State-regulated issuers (with federal oversight)
Foreign issuers must meet equivalent standards to operate in US markets. Non-compliant companies face daily penalties up to $100,000.
Why This Matters Now
The push follows the 2022 TerraUSD collapse that wiped out $40 billion in value. "These protections are long overdue," said Senator Cynthia Lummis. "When people hold dollar-pegged assets, they deserve actual dollars backing them."
The Senate passed the GENIUS Act in May 2025, while the House version (STABLE Act) cleared committee in April. Both bills enjoy rare bipartisan support, increasing likelihood of final passage by year's end.
Industry Reaction
Major exchanges like Coinbase welcome the clarity but criticize the STABLE Act's ban on interest payments. "Reasonable regulation protects consumers without stifling innovation," said Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire.
Meanwhile, Tether announced it already meets the proposed reserve requirements despite past controversies. The stablecoin giant holds $110 billion in assets backing its USDT tokens.
Analysts predict the laws could trigger consolidation as smaller issuers struggle with compliance costs. "This legitimizes stablecoins while weeding out bad actors," noted Bloomberg crypto analyst Jamie Coutts.
