Key Takeaways
The U.K. faces growing pressure from crypto leaders to establish a clear stablecoin strategy as the U.S. advances, with banks like Citi and HSBC exploring their potential.
As the U.S. pushes forward with the GENIUS Act, the race to define stablecoin frameworks is gaining speed worldwide.
Traditional finance players are beginning to test the waters, too.
Citigroup, for instance, is reportedly exploring stablecoins and exchange-traded products.
U.K.’s stablecoin push
In an open letter to Finance Minister Rachel Reeves, 30 crypto industry leaders urged the U.K. to craft a national stablecoin strategy.
They warned that without swift action, Britain risks falling behind the U.S. and becoming a “rule-taker rather than a rule-maker” in the digital asset economy.
The letter noted,
“To ensure the UK is at the forefront, we believe a proactive, coordinated national strategy is needed – one that positions stablecoins not as a risk to be contained, but as a financial infrastructure to be responsibly embraced.”
This letter was signed by executives from Coinbase, Kraken, Copper, Fireblocks, BitGo, and VanEck.
The signatories stressed that the U.K. needs a clear, coordinated plan to embed stablecoins into its financial system, rather than treating them as potential risks.
According to the letter, current regulations fail to capture the essence of stablecoins, holding back innovation and adoption.
Where is the current regulation lagging?
A central concern highlighted was how UK regulators currently classify stablecoins.
Under existing law, they’re described as “crypto-assets with reference to fiat currency,” a definition industry leaders argue is both clumsy and outdated.
Meanwhile, in the U.S., stablecoins, typically pegged to government-backed currencies, have become central to the digital asset market, led by Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC.
The sector is worth over $280 billion, yet sterling-backed stablecoins remain tiny, with a market cap of just £461,224 ($621,197), per CoinGecko.
However, despite the growth, the risk associated with stablecoins remains.
Why is stablecoin regulation crucial?
While stablecoins present a powerful opportunity to link digital assets with the stability of traditional finance, their growth hinges on clear and consistent regulation.
This regulatory gap remains the biggest obstacle for global adoption, but momentum is building.
In fact, major South Korean banks are already moving ahead, setting up dedicated teams and exploring the issuance and management of stablecoins.
Their push signals how financial institutions worldwide may soon follow suit, provided the rules of the game catch up with innovation.
