The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has finalized its rules for implementing the GENIUS Act. These regulations establish requirements for payment stablecoin issuers under federal oversight, including national bank subsidiaries, federal savings associations, and approved nonbank entities. The rules will officially take effect on January 18, 2027.
The new regulatory framework covers critical operational areas such as reserve asset management, redemption processes, risk management, and mandatory audits. It also outlines procedures for custody, reporting, and the supervision of foreign issuers. Additionally, the guidelines define how state-qualified issuers can transition to the federal system and under what conditions the OCC may revoke an entity's approval.
The agency clarified that requirements related to the Bank Secrecy Act, anti-money laundering (AML), and sanctions are excluded from this specific rule. These topics will be addressed in a separate rulemaking process conducted in coordination with the Treasury Department. The OCC noted that it will continue to monitor the industry's development to adjust the framework as necessary.
The GENIUS Act, signed into law in July 2025, restricts the issuance of payment stablecoins in the U.S. to permitted entities. It also prohibits digital asset service providers from offering stablecoins to American customers unless they originate from authorized domestic or compliant foreign issuers. The OCC had previously opened a 60-day comment period following its initial proposal in February.
