Stablecoins are digital assets pegged to a stable asset like USD or GBP. Popular examples include:
They are widely used for:
- Global payments
- DeFi applications
- Trading & liquidity
- On-chain settlement
- Merchant payments
However, events like TERRA Luna crash (2022) and stablecoin de-pegs exposed major risks. The UK wants to ensure stablecoins used for payments are safe, fully backed, liquid, and regulated.
📌 Key Rules Proposed by the Bank of England
1. 100% High-Quality Reserve Assets
Stablecoin issuers must hold high-quality liquid assets (HQLA) such as:
- Government bonds
- Treasury bills
- Bank deposits
This ensures users can redeem their stablecoins anytime without risk.
2. Segregation of Customer Funds
Companies cannot mix customer funds with business funds.
This protects user money in case the company goes bankrupt.
3. Guaranteed 1:1 Redemption
1 stablecoin = 1 British Pound.
No delays. No exceptions. No liquidity issues.
4. Limits on Stablecoin Exposure
The UK may restrict:
- Risky investments by issuers
- Foreign stablecoin exposure
- High-risk asset holdings
5. Mandatory Licensing of All Stablecoin Entities
Any business providing stablecoin services must be regulated by:
- Bank of England (if systemic)
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
6. Regulation of Exchanges & Wallet Providers
Rules will apply to:
- Crypto exchanges
- Wallet services
- Payment processors
- Fintech apps
💡 Why Did the Bank of England Introduce These Rules?
1. Protect Consumers
Past crashes caused huge losses. UK aims to prevent any stablecoin collapse harming citizens.
2. Maintain Financial Stability
If millions of people use stablecoins, any failure can impact the entire economy.
3. Encourage Safe Innovation
The UK aims to become a global crypto hub — with strong rules, not chaos.
4. Prepare for the Digital Pound (CBDC)
The upcoming Digital Pound may rely on this same legal foundation.