By PYMNTS | October 26, 2026
Days after issuing the final rule to implement the GENIUS Act, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) encouraged community banks to develop payment stablecoin capabilities.
“The OCC wants community banks to help shape the future of payments and is encouraging the development of payment stablecoin capabilities within the community banking sector,” the regulator said in a Monday (Oct. 26) post on X. “Interested community banks are encouraged to consider applying to become, or for a subsidiary to become, a permitted payment stablecoin issuer, as applicable.”
The GENIUS Act, which was enacted July 18, 2025, establishes a regulatory and licensing framework for payment stablecoins, PYMNTS reported Wednesday (Oct. 21).
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The OCC finalized rules governing stablecoin issuers under its jurisdiction on Wednesday. The rules established standards for reserves, redemption, custody and risk management.
The rule translates the GENIUS Act’s requirements into a supervisory framework for bank subsidiaries, federally approved nonbank issuers and certain other providers. It goes into effect on Jan. 18.
PYMNTS reported Thursday (Oct. 22) that the OCC’s final rule left an opening for cryptocurrency platforms to offer stablecoin rewards, setting up a contest over returns that could affect the cost and availability of bank loans. The agency will examine individual arrangements, as the final rule says existing rewards programs won’t automatically be considered compliant simply because they predate the law.
Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan V. Gould said in a Monday post on X that the OCC’s final rule continues a tradition begun when the regulator was created in 1863 to guide the creation of a national currency and banking system.
“Implementing the GENIUS Act and overseeing stablecoin issuers is a reminder of our roots and our role enabling financial innovation,” Gould said. “The final rule [OCC] released last week puts a federal framework in place allowing stablecoins to achieve their potential while furthering dollar dominance.”
In its Monday post calling on community banks to develop payment stablecoin capabilities, the OCC noted its broader efforts to tailor supervision of those banks.
“These opportunities complement the OCC’s Community Bank Comeback initiatives to right-size regulation and tailor supervision so community banks can grow, compete and continue serving their communities,” the OCC said.