IMF Warns Stablecoins Could Undermine National Currency Control

• The IMF warns fast-growing stablecoins may erode national currency sovereignty and policy control.
• Cross-border stablecoin use could weaken central banks’ influence over domestic capital flows.

The latest report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) immediately highlighted a major issue: the rapid growth of stablecoins has the potential to undermine a country’s control over its currency. This warning is issued because the use of these digital assets is now increasingly widespread, from daily transactions to cross-border payments, potentially eroding central banks’ latitude in maintaining monetary stability prematurely.

Stablecoin Use Is Reshaping Monetary Boundaries

The IMF explains that stablecoins are growing because they are perceived as easy to access, quick to use, and provide a sense of stability for many. However, on the other hand, this growth also opens up new opportunities for people to abandon their national currencies without much thought. When transactions can be processed directly via mobile phones and no longer rely on bank intermediaries, central banks’ latitude becomes increasingly limited.

In fact, in a number of inflation-stricken economies, dollar-linked digital assets are emerging as a go-to choice for people looking for a safer store of value, a shift that hasn’t gone unnoticed by central bankers.

This phenomenon places many developing countries in a difficult position. The IMF also notes that the growing dominance of dollar-backed stablecoins could slowly erode the role of local currencies, while making it harder for authorities to manage capital flows as money moves outside the banking system.

Nevertheless, the IMF report still acknowledges that these digital assets have a positive side. Certain benefits cannot be ignored, particularly for cross-border payments or the needs of the informal sector, which requires simple financial access. However, the IMF emphasizes that these benefits can only be achieved if regulations are strong. Without oversight, risks to economic stability could emerge suddenly.

Various countries are now moving to prepare a response. The IMF is pushing for regulations that align with the principle of “same activity, same risk, same regulation,” so that stablecoin issuers cannot operate without oversight like large financial institutions. Countries are also encouraged to strengthen cross-border coordination because the impact of digital assets is no longer confined to a single jurisdiction.

On the other hand, authorities are now exploring ways to limit reliance on digital versions of foreign money, all while keeping the door open for innovation that doesn’t disrupt market stability.

Concluding this landscape, several regional developments further illustrate the dynamics of digital assets. On December 1st, we reported that South Korea was expediting its Digital Asset Act following numerous AML and KYC issues at local exchanges, with new draft regulations introducing a bank-based stablecoin model.

Meanwhile, on October 28th, we highlighted Ant Group’s move to register the AntCoin trademark in Hong Kong as a sign of its expansion into blockchain-based financial services, just as China was tightening its ban on private tokens.

And towards the end of November, China reaffirmed its ban on payments using virtual assets and stablecoins, although digital assets remain recognized as legal property.