FDIC Says GENIUS Act Stablecoins Will Not Qualify for Deposit Insurance

FDIC Chair Travis Hill said stablecoins under the GENIUS Act are legally distinct from bank deposits and would not receive deposit insurance, while tokenized deposits should receive the same coverage as ordinary deposits.

Summary

FDIC Chair Travis Hill said stablecoin holders would not receive any form of deposit insurance under the GENIUS Act, distinguishing them from bank deposits insured up to $250,000. He said stablecoins are legally separate from deposits, while tokenized deposits should be treated as deposits and receive the same insurance coverage and regulatory treatment as non-tokenized bank deposits. The remarks reinforce the FDIC’s policy distinction between payment stablecoins and insured bank liabilities.

Terms & Concepts
  • GENIUS Act: Proposed U.S. stablecoin legislation referenced by FDIC Chair Travis Hill in explaining how payment stablecoins would be treated for deposit insurance purposes.
  • Deposit insurance: FDIC protection for eligible bank deposits, typically covering up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, in each ownership category.
  • Tokenized deposits: Bank deposits issued or represented in tokenized form, typically on blockchain infrastructure, while remaining conventional bank deposit liabilities.