US Stablecoin Regulation Talks Stall, But Progress Is Near

Efforts to push through U.S. stablecoin legislation by attaching it to an unrelated Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill have been halted by legislative leaders.

What Happened: The decision to seek a clean bill means the discussion between House Financial Services Committee Chair Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) will revert to direct negotiations on a comprehensive agreement, the aide noted, preferring anonymity due to the private nature of the talks, Coindesk reported.

This development underscores the seriousness of the legislative push for stablecoin oversight, with significant discussions involving key Senate members for the first time.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) has expressed willingness to combine stablecoin regulations with legislation facilitating financial services for the cannabis industry.

However, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) supports this plan, while Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) remains opposed.

The scenario suggests that stablecoin regulation may resurface in other crucial legislative processes, potentially linked with cannabis banking reforms.

“This push will demonstrate the level of Congressional support for these measures and identify the opposition,” Jaret Seiberg, a TD Cowen analyst, commented in a research note.

He anticipates that the real legislative efforts will intensify later in the year.

Previously, an infrastructure bill unexpectedly carried significant crypto regulations, illustrating that the legislative vehicle for stablecoin and potentially cannabis banking reforms might also be unconventional.

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Yet, a final compromise on the stablecoin legislation that satisfies all parties has not been reached, causing industry insiders to remain cautious.

Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, emphasized the importance of the legislative details.

“We look forward to reviewing and providing feedback on any new compromise drafts that might emerge,” she said.

With several lawmakers having strong motivations to advance a stablecoin bill, the outcome could significantly impact their political careers.

“Brown is particularly motivated to advance the SAFER Banking Act before his challenging re-election bid, aiming for a legislative win on the popular issue of cannabis reform,”

Beacon Policy Advisors noted in their analysis, also highlighting that this is a defining issue for the retiring McHenry.

What’s Next: This legislative drama unfolds as the digital assets industry continues to gain prominence, a topic that will undoubtedly be a point of discussion at Benzinga’s upcoming Future of Digital Assets event on Nov. 19, where the future of regulations and their impact on the industry will be key themes.

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Image created using artificial intelligence with Midjourney.