Treasury Targets Stablecoin Issuers for Money Laundering Risks
Published Date: 6/24/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government is setting new rules for companies that issue payment stablecoins to stop money laundering, terrorism funding, and illegal sanctions evasion. These rules affect stablecoin issuers under the OCC’s watch and require them to follow strict safety checks starting soon. Comments on these rules are open until July 24, 2026, so businesses should get ready to comply and share their thoughts!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
OCC limits enforcement for good AML/CFT programs
The OCC would add a supervision and enforcement framework saying a permitted payment stablecoin issuer that has properly established an effective AML/CFT program generally would not face an OCC AML/CFT enforcement action or a significant AML/CFT supervisory action, except for significant or systemic failures. This framework defines terms like "AML/CFT enforcement action" and "significant AML/CFT supervisory action."
Consultation process will cost the OCC (staff time)
The proposed rule would require the OCC to provide the Director of FinCEN an opportunity to review planned AML/CFT enforcement actions or significant AML/CFT supervisory actions (with at least 30 days' advance notice unless shorter notice is necessary). The OCC estimates an upper bound annual coordination cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for this consultative process.
Stablecoin issuers must follow BSA and sanctions rules
If you operate a permitted payment stablecoin issuer subject to the OCC's jurisdiction, you must comply with the Bank Secrecy Act and sanctions regulations at 31 CFR chapter V and 31 CFR chapter X. The OCC says that following those FinCEN and OFAC regulations will satisfy the proposed Sec. 15.13(c) requirements; the OCC estimates the rule would affect about 29 permitted payment stablecoin issuers.
Permitted issuers may share OCC non-public info with FinCEN
The OCC would amend its disclosure rules to permit permitted payment stablecoin issuers to share OCC non-public supervisory information with the FinCEN Director when that information relates to an existing or potential AML/CFT enforcement action or significant AML/CFT supervisory action. The proposal describes two options for how that disclosure and use authorization would operate, including an Option 2 that would require contemporaneous disclosure of the same information to the OCC by the issuer.
OCC estimates no incremental cost to supervised issuers
The OCC states that because the OCC's AML/CFT and sanctions requirements largely reference FinCEN and OFAC requirements, it does not expect any net incremental costs for OCC-supervised permitted payment stablecoin issuers (the OCC's incremental net impact estimate for OCC-supervised institutions is $0).
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08143, Streamlining Regulations Concerning Public Welfare Investments, Open Market Collateralized Loan Obligations, and Federal Savings Association Nondiscrimination Requirements
The Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency wants to simplify some banking rules by removing outdated or confusing parts. This affects banks, especially federal savings associations and those dealing with certain loan investments. They’re asking for public feedback by May 27, 2026, aiming to cut red tape and make compliance easier without changing costs.
2025-21626, Regulatory Capital Rule: Modifications to the Enhanced Supplementary Leverage Ratio Standards for U.S. Global Systemically Important Bank Holding Companies and Their Subsidiary Depository Institutions; Total Loss-Absorbing Capacity and Long-Term Debt Requirements for U.S. Global Systemically Important Bank Holding Companies
Big U.S. banks that are super important to the economy are getting new rules to keep them safer and stronger. These changes tweak how much money they must keep on hand and how they handle long-term debt, helping prevent financial trouble. The new rules kick in soon and could affect how these banks manage billions in assets and debt.
2026-15867, OCC Rules Regarding the Availability of OCC Information
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is proposing changes to its rules on information disclosure. The proposal would clarify the process for obtaining OCC approval to disclose non- public OCC information and allow for the disclosure of confidential supervisory information without OCC approval in certain circumstances, provided that applicable safeguards are observed. It also refines the OCC's process for requesting records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), amends the rules to provide for expedited process of FOIA requests, and makes other structural and conforming changes.
2026-15088, Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Applications for Licensing or Registration To Issue Payment Stablecoins Under the GENIUS Act
The OCC, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites comment on a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). In accordance with the requirements of the PRA, the OCC may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection unless it displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The OCC is proposing a new information collection to comply with the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act or the Act) requirement for entities seeking to issue payment stablecoins in the United States. The OCC is seeking a new OMB control number for this information collection.
2026-12364, OCC Policy Statement on Minority Depository Institutions
The OCC just updated its rules for Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), which are banks owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people. This update makes the rules clearer, matches the law better, and removes outdated info, so the policy stays useful for years. Current MDIs keep their status, and the changes took effect on June 16, 2026, with no new costs involved.
2026-11855, Agency Information Collection Activities: Information Collection Revision; Comment Request; Licensing Manual
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is updating its Licensing Manual and wants your feedback by August 11, 2026. This update aims to make paperwork easier and clearer for banks and financial institutions. No big costs are expected, but your comments will help shape the final rules and keep things running smoothly.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-12689, Safety Zone; Ohio River, Cincinnati, OH
The Coast Guard wants to create a temporary safety zone on the Ohio River in Cincinnati for a fireworks show on September 28, 2026, from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. This means boats and people can’t enter the area unless they get special permission. The goal is to keep everyone safe from fireworks hazards, and the public can share their thoughts by July 24, 2026.
Next: 2026-12696, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Changes in Federal-State Administrative Cost Sharing
Starting in fiscal year 2027, the federal government will pay less—dropping its share of SNAP state administrative costs from 50% to 25%. This change affects states running the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and means they’ll cover more of the costs. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by August 24, 2026!