- The OCC finalized GENIUS Act rules on stablecoin reserves, redemptions, custody and risk management, effective January 18, 2027.
- The rules also cover capital, audits, reporting and certain foreign issuers, while application procedures remain separate.
The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has finalized its rules governing payment stablecoin issuers under the GENIUS Act, establishing requirements for reserves, redemptions, custody and risk management. The rules are scheduled to take effect on January 18, 2027.
Announced on October 21, the final rule sets out how institutions under the OCC’s supervision must comply with the federal framework for payment stablecoins. The GENIUS Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump in July 2025. That created a regulatory structure for these dollar-linked digital assets like USDT and established requirements for issuers.
.@USComptroller Jonathan V. Gould: Today’s final rule advances @POTUS Trump’s and @SecScottBessent’s vision for American leadership in digital assets. We are providing a clear, practical framework for payment stablecoin innovation, with strong standards for reserve backing, redemption, and risk management. The OCC is drawing on its longstanding supervisory expertise to support responsible growth and innovation for this new industry. https://t.co/IWuIHnQQ0f
— OCC (@USOCC) October 21, 2026
The rules cover the assets issuers can hold to back their stablecoins, how holders can redeem tokens for money, and safeguards for custody activities. They also establish requirements related to capital, audits, reporting and risk management.
Rules Set Standards for Stablecoin Issuers
The OCC’s framework is intended to bring payment stablecoin activities under clearer federal oversight. Payment stablecoins are designed to maintain a stable value against a reference asset, usually the U.S. dollar, and are widely used for crypto trading and digital payments.
Morethan, the final rule also addresses foreign payment stablecoin issuers that fall within the OCC’s jurisdiction. However, the announcement does not mean every stablecoin issuer will automatically receive authorization to operate in the United States.
The OCC said it would separately announce when it begins accepting applications and waiver requests from prospective issuers. Other parts of the GENIUS Act require coordination among federal agencies, including work on anti-money-laundering and sanctions compliance.
With the January 18, 2027, effective date approaching, affected institutions have a defined timeline to prepare for the new requirements. Still, the OCC’s rule is one part of the broader implementation of the GENIUS Act, rather than the completion of every federal rulemaking under the law.
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