OCC Finalizes GENIUS Act Rules For Payment Stablecoin Issuers

On October 21, 2026, the OCC issued a final rule implementing the GENIUS Act. The rule establishes requirements governing payment stablecoin issuance and related activities by entities subject to OCC oversight, including banks, nonbank issuers, certain state-qualified issuers, and foreign issuers. The rule takes effect January 18, 2027.

The final rule follows the OCC's February 2026 proposal and establishes a supervisory framework addressing reserve assets, redemption, risk management, custody, licensing, and capital requirements. The OCC adopted several changes in response to public comments. Specifically, the final rule:

• Establishes reserve requirements. Issuers must maintain identifiable, segregated reserve assets sufficient to back outstanding payment stablecoins on a 1:1 basis. The rule reduces the proposed minimum daily liquidity requirement from 10% to 5% of reserve assets while retaining diversification and concentration requirements.