Treasury Department Opens Public Comment Period on GENIUS Act Stablecoin Licensing Rules

The U.S. Treasury Department has initiated a 60-day public comment period regarding the implementation of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act. Enacted in July 2025, the legislation is scheduled to become operational on January 18, 2027, establishing a mandatory licensing framework for all payment stablecoin issuers within U.S. jurisdiction. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the rules aim to provide regulatory certainty while reinforcing the U.S. dollar's global reserve status. Under the proposed framework, unlicensed stablecoin operations will be prohibited, and digital asset platforms will face restrictions on distributing foreign-issued stablecoins to American residents. By July 18, 2028, service providers must ensure all offered payment stablecoins originate from properly licensed entities. While the Federal Reserve, FDIC, and OCC also released proposed regulations in 2026, reports suggest these agencies missed the initial 120-day deadline for final guidance. This regulatory shift is critical for the RWA market as it formalizes the legal status of stablecoins, which serve as the primary liquidity layer for tokenized assets and on-chain financial instruments.