Circle CEO Calls for Global Standards as Stablecoins Gain Traction

Circle, the company behind the USDC stablecoin, is optimistic about the mainstream adoption of stablecoins as a key component of digital finance.

Dante Disparte, Circle’s CSO, believes that stablecoins will become essential for internet-based transactions and financial services, signaling their long-term presence in the financial landscape.

Disparte also stressed the importance of global regulatory consistency, arguing that all stablecoin issuers should adhere to uniform standards for reserves and financial crime prevention. Circle is set to move its headquarters to New York by early 2025 and has filed for an IPO, reflecting its commitment to integrating into the U.S. financial system.

The U.S. currently allows state-level regulation of payment systems, while other countries manage these at a national level. Disparte called for federal regulations for stablecoins to address potential regulatory gaps and prevent misuse. He supports the recent stablecoin legislation proposed by the House Financial Services Committee, which he believes will ensure compliance with anti-money laundering and other financial regulations.

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In Europe, the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which began to take effect in June, offers comprehensive regulatory guidance. Circle has complied with MiCA, becoming the first major stablecoin issuer to do so. However, Disparte noted that MiCA may need updates, like MiCA 2.0, to address emerging areas such as decentralized finance.

The stablecoin market is becoming more competitive, with new players like PayPal’s USD-pegged stablecoin and Ripple’s upcoming Ripple USD. Tether’s USDT remains the largest stablecoin, and the total market cap for stablecoins hit a record $168 billion in August. Disparte encouraged other companies to adopt rigorous regulatory standards to contribute to the growth and stability of the stablecoin ecosystem.

Kosta Gushterov