Lynn Johannson, Advisor, Sustainability and ESG
January 4th, 2024
Regulation | March 14, 2025
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On February 4, 2025, Senator Bill Hagerty introduced the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act) based on the discussion draft he released in October 2024. Yesterday, the GENIUS Act received approval from the Senate Banking Committee with a bipartisan 18-6 vote count, highlighting the massive shift in how Washington currently views crypto (and financial innovation).
While stablecoins have been part of the crypto economy for a long time, this legislation could integrate them broadly into the financial system in a way that would provide clarity for issuers (big and small), investors and institutions. Now the bill must face a full Senate vote, and some lawmakers like Senator Elizabeth Warren are pushing for changes before the final vote to introduce some revisions that strengthen rules before moving forward.
The GENIUS Act introduces clear rules for companies that issue stablecoins, ensuring they operate in a safe and transparent way. The bill lays out requirements for licensing, reserve requirements, and consumer protections.
Stablecoin issuers will need to register with either federal or state regulators (similar to how banks operate). Large issuers with more than $10 billion in circulation will be supervised by the Federal Reserve and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) while smaller stablecoin issuers can operate under state regulators.
To ensure stablecoins are in fact financially stable, issuers must hold safe assets such as the U.S. dollar, Treasury bills or highly liquid reserves equal to the full value of the stablecoins they issue. This requirement is to prevent collapses like the Terra-Luna crash that wiped out billions in investor funds.
Companies must also publish monthly reports on their reserves, agree to independent audits, and provide clear redemption policies so customers know how they can cash out from their stablecoins. Stablecoins must be redeemable upon request without delays or refusing payouts. Regulators will have the authority to suspend licenses for companies that fail to follow thee rules.
While the bill has bipartisan support, several lawmakers including Senator Elizabeth Warren have warned that without changes, the bill could have serious risks:
The GENIUS Act is now set for a vote in the full U.S. Senate. If it passes, it will move to the House of Representatives where lawmakers will need to combine it with the House’s own stablecoin bill, the STABLE Act, to create a single version. If both the Senate and House agree on a final version, the bill will go to President Trump for approval. Lawmakers are hoping to finalize everything by April.
The United States is making progress in setting clear rules for stablecoins but Canada’s approach still remains uncertain. If U.S. banks start using stablecoins widely, it could put pressure on Canadian regulators to develop similar guidelines.
Canadian crypto companies that want to do business in the U.S. will need to follow these new rules if they want access to the American market. If stablecoins become a common part of traditional finance, they could change the way cross-border payments work, pushing Canada to update its policies to stay competitive.
Stablecoin regulation is no longer theoretical, it's happening and Canada will need to decide how to adapt.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association of Canada (NCFA Canada) is a cross-Canada non-profit actively engaged with fintech, alternative finance, blockchain, cryptocurrency, crowdfunding and online investing stakeholders globally. NCFA Canada provides education, research, industry stewardship, services, and networking opportunities to thousands of members and subscribers and works closely with industry, government, academia, community and eco-system partners and affiliates to create a strong and vibrant crowdfunding and fintech industry. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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