Toomey Announces Legislation to Create Responsible Regulatory Framework for Stablecoins
Releases Discussion Draft of the Stablecoin TRUST Act
Washington,
D.C.
– U.S. Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) today
released a discussion
draft of legislation establishing a new regulatory framework for
payment stablecoins.
“While today stablecoins facilitate trading with cryptocurrencies, tomorrow
stablecoins could be widely used in the physical economy. They have the
potential, among other things, to speed up payments and automate transactions,”
said Ranking Member Toomey. “The proposed regulatory framework I’m releasing
today will allow this crypto-innovation to continue flourishing while
protecting consumers and minimizing potential risks from stablecoins to the
financial system. I look forward to receiving feedback on this legislation from
my colleagues and stakeholders as Congress continues its work on stablecoin
regulation.”
Key Components
· Authorizes three different options to issue payment stablecoins:
o Establishes a new federal license designed specifically for stablecoin issuers;
o Preserves the state-registered money transmitter status for most existing stablecoin issuers; and
o Clarifies that insured depository institutions are permitted to issue stablecoins.
· Protects consumers by subjecting all payment stablecoin issuers—regardless of whether they are a state money transmitter or receiving a new federal license—to standardized requirements, including:
o Disclosures regarding the reserve assets backing the stablecoin;
o Clear redemption policies; and
o Subjecting them to routine attestations by registered public accounting firms.
· Provides much-needed clarity that, at a minimum, stablecoins that do not offer interest are not securities.
o Provides a clear regulatory framework for payment stablecoins and rejects the Securities and Exchange Commission’s approach of regulating through enforcement actions.
· Applies privacy protections to transactions involving stablecoins and other virtual currencies.
Background
· In August 2021, Ranking Member Toomey announced he was soliciting legislative proposals to ensure federal law supports the development of digital assets and its underlying technologies while protecting investors.
· In December 2021, Ranking Member Toomey released a set of principles to lay the framework for forthcoming stablecoin legislation.
Click
here
to read the discussion draft.
Click here
for a section-by-section.
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