- The CFTC enables stablecoins from national trust banks.
- Changes aim to enhance collateral diversity in derivatives.
- Regulatory shifts reflect expanded federal oversight.
The CFTC has amended its stablecoin regulations to permit national trust banks to issue dollar-pegged tokens, effective February 6, 2026, enhancing their role in the stablecoin ecosystem.
This change aligns with the GENIUS Act, fostering greater liquidity in derivatives markets and integrating national trust banks with established state issuers.
On February 6, 2026, the CFTC reissued Staff Letter 25-40, amending its stance to incorporate national trust banks as permitted issuers of dollar-pegged stablecoins. This update corrects an oversight in the previous December 2025 version.
Involving the CFTC’s Market Participants Division and Chairman Michael S. Selig, the revision allows national trust banks to issue stablecoins. Michael S. Selig, Chairman, CFTC, remarked, “During President Trump’s initial term, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency made history by chartering the first national trust banks with authority to custody and issue payment stablecoins. These national trust banks continue to play an important role in the payment stablecoin ecosystem. I’m pleased that the CFTC staff is amending its previously issued no-action letter to expand the list of eligible tokenized collateral to include payment stablecoins issued by these institutions.” More details can be found in the CFTC’s Press Release. The GENIUS Act aligns with these changes, establishing a framework for stablecoin issuance.
The inclusion of national trust banks could increase liquidity for derivatives markets by expanding eligible collateral for futures commission merchants. This move provides a fresh avenue alongside state-regulated issuers like USDC and Paxos.
The regulatory adjustment seeks to integrate nationally chartered banks with existing stablecoin frameworks, impacting the $33 trillion annual stablecoin market. There are no direct effects on major cryptocurrencies like Ethereum or Bitcoin.
The CFTC’s decision reflects increased federal involvement in the stablecoin sector. Such regulatory clarity is pivotal in fostering market stability within the evolving crypto landscape.
Historically, the market has responded positively to explicit regulatory pathways. As national trust banks begin issuance, it signals a potential boost in market confidence and adoption of dollar-pegged tokens.
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