BIS calls for coordinated stablecoin rules and tokenised money innovation
Key Takeaways
- 01The BIS called for internationally coordinated regulation of stablecoins in a September 16, 2026 speech.
- 02The Bank said its goal is to preserve monetary-system trust while supporting programmable finance.
- 03It presented tokenised bank deposits and central-bank reserves as a foundation for digital financial innovation.
- 04The speech signals continued regulatory scrutiny of stablecoin design and cross-border governance.
In a September 16, 2026 speech, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) called for internationally coordinated regulation of stablecoins and backed innovation based on tokenised deposits and central-bank reserves.
The BIS’s stated objective is to preserve trust in the monetary system while allowing programmable finance—financial transactions whose conditions can be executed automatically through digital systems—to develop.
The Bank argued that tokenised commercial-bank deposits and tokenised central-bank reserves could provide a more reliable foundation for digital financial services than privately issued stablecoins. It also stressed that stablecoin regulation should be coordinated across borders, reflecting the global reach of digital-asset activities.
The speech does not itself impose rules. Its practical significance is as a policy signal: stablecoin issuers, banks and digital-asset firms should expect continued regulatory focus on whether digital money maintains confidence, interoperability and cross-border consistency.