The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has granted HSBC and Standard Chartered Group the first licenses under the territory’s Stablecoins Ordinance, which took effect in August 2025. The approvals mark a regulatory milestone that could accelerate bank-led stablecoin activity in the region.
A senior Bank of England official told Parliament that proposed rules would require “systemic” stablecoins to hold at least 40% of reserves in central bank deposits, announced as DLT projects proliferate. The move is aimed at strengthening safety and integrating stablecoins into the UK financial plumbing.
Iran has introduced an approximate $1 per barrel toll for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and is asking for payment in Chinese yuan or stablecoins. The move could nudge energy payments away from the dollar and raise fresh compliance questions for shippers and insurers.
SoFi launched a 24/7 Banking Hub that lets businesses hold dollars, convert them into stablecoins, and move funds instantly within a regulated bank environment. The service aims to speed settlements and simplify treasury operations.
Institutional liquidity provider B2C2 has selected Solana as its primary rails for stablecoin settlements, citing the chain's high throughput and low latency. The move highlights growing institutional interest in alternative blockchains that can handle large-scale, low-cost transfers.
US lawmakers proposed a tax plan that would exempt dollar-pegged stablecoins from taxable gains or losses if they maintain a tight peg. The bill does not extend the same treatment to Bitcoin.
The ECB said on March 27 that banks risk losing payment market share to stablecoins and urged the launch of a digital euro to preserve their role in the payments system.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said major banks are actively exploring stablecoins, signaling rising institutional interest in XRP and RLUSD. The development could accelerate bank-backed payment rails and wider crypto integration.
Visa's report shows euro stablecoins now make up over 80% of non-dollar stablecoin supply, with EURC leading trading volumes as MiCA and new payment-rail integrations accelerate adoption.
The Financial Stability Board warned on March 24, 2026 that US dollar-pegged stablecoins could leave emerging economies more exposed to external macro shocks and financial-stability risks. The statement highlights concerns about monetary sovereignty, capital flow volatility and liability dollarization.