Bank of England to Launch Stablecoin Regulation Consultation on November 10

TLDR

• The Bank of England will introduce a stablecoin regulation consultation on November 10.
• Temporary caps on stablecoin holdings for individuals and businesses are proposed.
• The UK’s regulatory regime will target systemic stablecoins widely used for payments.
• FCA will regulate non-systemic stablecoins under a lighter framework.

The Bank of England is set to introduce a consultation on stablecoin regulation on November 10. The move aims to align with the regulatory framework the United States is advancing for digital currencies. Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden has stated that concerns about the UK lagging are misplaced. The UK’s new rules will be focused on ensuring that stablecoins do not threaten financial stability, especially given the country’s mortgage market’s reliance on banks.

Bank of England’s Stablecoin Oversight Strategy

The Bank of England is preparing to release its long-awaited stablecoin regulation consultation this week. According to reports, the consultation will outline specific rules for stablecoins, with a focus on those that are considered “systemic.” These stablecoins, which are widely used for payments, will be subjected to the most stringent measures. The Bank aims to ensure that such digital assets do not pose risks to the financial system by maintaining effective oversight.

Sarah Breeden, the Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, has emphasized that the UK is on track to introduce its regulatory measures at the same pace as the United States. “We aim to make sure that our regime is up and running just as quickly as the U.S.,” she stated. The United States has already made significant strides in establishing regulations for digital assets, particularly stablecoins, and the UK is eager to remain competitive on the global stage.

Proposed Temporary Caps for Stablecoin Holdings

The consultation is expected to include proposed temporary caps on the amount of stablecoin individuals and businesses can hold. For individuals, the cap is set at £20,000 (approximately $26,000), while businesses will be limited to £10 million. These temporary restrictions are aimed at mitigating the potential risks of large-scale shifts in deposits from traditional bank accounts into stablecoins.

Breeden pointed out that the UK’s mortgage market is heavily bank-based, which makes it more susceptible to rapid changes in deposit movements. Therefore, these limits are being considered as a precautionary measure. By imposing these temporary caps, the Bank of England seeks to reduce the risk of destabilizing the financial system, particularly if widespread shifts toward stablecoins were to occur.

Regulation of Non-Systemic Stablecoins by FCA

While the primary focus of the new consultation is on systemic stablecoins, other, less widely used stablecoins will still be subject to regulation. However, the regulatory framework for these non-systemic stablecoins will be less stringent. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which regulates financial markets in the UK, will handle these assets under a lighter regime.

This approach is expected to provide more flexibility for stablecoins that do not play a significant role in payment systems. However, it ensures that the FCA will still monitor and regulate their use, ensuring they adhere to basic consumer protection and financial integrity standards.

Broader Efforts to Modernize UK’s Financial Markets

The upcoming consultation on stablecoins is part of a broader initiative by the UK government to modernize the country’s financial markets. The government has already outlined plans to appoint a “digital markets champion” who will lead efforts to incorporate blockchain technology into wholesale financial markets. The Financial Conduct Authority has also lifted its ban on crypto exchange-traded notes, making them more accessible to a wider range of investors.

These actions show that the UK is taking steps to stay competitive with the US in the digital asset space. The stablecoin regulatory consultation is just one part of the UK’s broader strategy to ensure that its financial markets remain relevant in the evolving global economy.

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