Stablecoins to face bank-like U.S. regulation under draft House bill – source
By Pete Schroeder
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Issuers of so-called “stablecoins,” digital currencies whose worth is pegged to conventional currencies, would face bank-like regulation and oversight below a draft invoice from senior U.S. Home lawmakers, based on a supply conversant in the matter.
Senior Democrats and Republicans on the Home Monetary Companies Committee have practically accomplished a draft that may topic stablecoin issuers to prudential requirements on capital, liquidity and supervision, just like these banks already face.
The draft invoice would enable nonbanks to problem stablecoins offered they adhere to the harder oversight however would prohibit firms from issuing their very own stablecoins, based on the supply.
Issuers of stablecoins tie their worth to conventional currencies just like the U.S. greenback, intending the digital currencies to have low volatility.
However the high-profile collapse and stresses skilled by some main stablecoin issuers in latest months have introduced added scrutiny from regulators, who fear customers might be harmed. The invoice additionally would require issuers to carry dependable and ample reserves, the supply stated.
The measure faces an unsure future in Congress. The backing of senior members of each events suggests it may cross the Home, however the Senate has not been as concerned within the negotiations, the supply stated. There are only a few months earlier than the U.S. midterm elections in November, when policymaking is predicted to grind to a halt.
Spokespeople for Consultant Maxine Waters, the Democrat who chairs the committee, and Consultant Patrick McHenry, its rating Republican, didn’t reply to requests for remark.
The U.S. Treasury has been calling on Congress to craft laws setting new guidelines for stablecoins since main a report in November that urged Congress to permit bank-like oversight of the brand new monetary product.
(Reporting by Pete Schroeder; Modifying by Cynthia Osterman)
