Fed’s Powell on Crypto: Stablecoins are a Form of Money, Would be a Mistake to Leave Fed With Weak Role
In a recent testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell emphasized the importance of a robust federal role in the oversight and regulation of stablecoins. His comments came in response to a proposed bill that would allow states to issue licenses for stablecoins with minimal federal oversight.
Powell expressed concern over the potential for a proliferation of private money creation at the state level, which he believes could undermine the credibility of the nation’s monetary system. He stated, “We do see payment stablecoins as a form of money, and in all advanced economies, the ultimate source of credibility in money is the central bank.”
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Show more +The proposed bill would create 58 different licenses for stablecoins, with federal regulatory approval required for only two of them. The remaining licenses could be issued by each state, territory, and the District of Columbia, with little to no federal oversight, regulation, and enforcement.
Powell argued that such a framework would be a mistake, stating, “We believe that it would be appropriate to have a quite a robust federal role in what happens in stablecoins going forward and that leaving us with a weak role and allowing a lot of private money creation at the state level would be a mistake.”
The Fed Chair’s comments underscore the growing recognition of cryptocurrencies, and stablecoins in particular, as a new form of currency. Stablecoins are digital currencies that are typically pegged to a reserve of traditional fiat currencies, like the dollar or euro, which are intended to maintain a stable value.
The testimony also highlighted the ongoing debate over the appropriate level of regulation for cryptocurrencies. While some argue for a more decentralized approach, others, like Powell, believe that a strong federal role is necessary to ensure the stability and credibility of the monetary system.
As the discussion around the regulation of cryptocurrencies continues, it’s clear that the Federal Reserve and other regulatory bodies will play a crucial role in shaping the future of this emerging financial technology.
