OCC To Issue Final GENIUS Act Rule By End of October

The regulatory body plans to finalize stablecoin issuer rules before the law takes effect in early 2027.

Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Legislative Policy

OCC To Issue Final GENIUS Act Rule By End of October

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Comptroller Jonathan Gould announced that the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) expects to issue the final GENIUS Act rule by the end of October 2026. This move follows the agency's February proposal regarding stablecoin issuer regulations.

Why it matters

The GENIUS Act, which becomes law on January 18, 2027, establishes a regulatory framework for digital asset firms that requires final rules to be in place 120 days prior to implementation. These developments aim to provide a clear oversight structure for stablecoin issuers operating within the United States.

The GENIUS Act requires a 120-day lead time between the issuance of final regulations and the law taking effect on January 18, 2027. Agencies are also tasked with deciding on expedited review applications for qualified firms within a six-month window.

The players

Jonathan Gould

Jonathan Gould serves as the Comptroller of the Currency and oversees the federal agency responsible for regulating national banks.

New York Department of Financial Services

This state regulatory body is responsible for supervising financial institutions and digital asset activities operating within New York.

Wyoming Department of Audit

This agency oversees the financial and regulatory integrity of institutions licensed to conduct business in the state of Wyoming.

The details

The OCC is finalizing its approach to stablecoin oversight following its initial proposal from February 2026. Concurrently, the New York Department of Financial Services and the Wyoming Department of Audit have entered an agreement to coordinate their digital asset oversight through shared information and joint examinations.

July 18, 2025: The GENIUS Act became law.
Feb. 25, 2026: The OCC issued the stablecoin proposal.
Sept. 23, 2026: The state regulatory coordination agreement took effect.
October 2026: Expected month for the OCC to issue the final GENIUS Act rule.
Jan. 18, 2027: The GENIUS Act takes effect.

Political Context

Opponents of the GENIUS Act often argue that the consolidated federal oversight could stifle state-level innovation and create burdensome compliance hurdles for smaller digital asset firms. Critics emphasize that the speed of federal rulemaking may not account for the diverse regulatory standards already established by state authorities like those in New York and Wyoming.

Digital asset firms with at least three years of licensure may now qualify for an expedited review process under the new state coordination agreement. This framework is intended to streamline compliance for established businesses, though applicants should prepare for a six-month window for review decisions.

The takeaway

The upcoming final rule marks a significant milestone in transitioning digital asset oversight into the federal regulatory system. Stakeholders should ensure their operations align with the new standards before the January 2027 effective date.