Treasury Proposes GENIUS Act Stablecoin Licensing Rules: What's in the Timeline

What Happened

The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on August 17, 2026, opening a public consultation on how it plans to implement the GENIUS Act, the stablecoin regulatory framework enacted in July 2025, according to CoinDesk. A 60-day public comment period is now open before Treasury moves toward a final rule.

The Proposed Timeline

Per Bitcoin Magazine, the proposed rules set two key dates. Starting January 18, 2027, anyone issuing a payment stablecoin domestically will need a federal or state license. Starting July 18, 2028, digital asset service providers generally may not offer or sell payment stablecoins to persons in the United States unless those stablecoins come from a licensed issuer.

Reserve Requirements

Under the 2025 law, stablecoin issuers must hold one dollar in reserves for every dollar of tokens issued, a 1:1 backing requirement intended to keep stablecoins redeemable at face value.

Where Things Stand

Every agency involved reportedly missed the original 120-day deadline in July for completing final regulations ahead of the January 2027 implementation date, meaning the rulemaking process is still active with room for the specifics to shift during the comment period.

Why This Matters

This is a licensing and reserve framework, not a statement about any individual stablecoin's prospects. What's confirmed is the structure: a public comment window, a 2027 licensing deadline, and a 2028 date after which unlicensed issuers lose access to the U.S. market. For platforms like Bitval and users working with stablecoins, that timeline is worth tracking directly rather than relying on secondhand summaries once the final rule lands.

If you want to see how Bitval handles compliance requirements like this as they develop, you can check Bitval's account setup here.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.