Finance

BoE's Bailey says progress on global stablecoin standards has slowed

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on April 15, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: April 16, 2026

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BoE's Bailey says progress on global stablecoin standards has slowed
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WASHINGTON, April 15 (Reuters) - Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said on Wednesday that progress on establishing international standards for so-called stablecoins, cryptoassets which are pegged

BoE's Bailey Highlights Slow Progress on Global Stablecoin Standards at IMF Event

International Efforts and Challenges in Stablecoin Regulation

Bailey's Remarks on Stablecoin Standards

WASHINGTON, April 15 (Reuters) - Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey said on Wednesday that progress on establishing international standards for so-called stablecoins, cryptoassets which are pegged to a fiat currency such as the dollar, had slowed over the last year.

Concerns Over Assured Value

Bailey, who also chairs the Financial Stability Board, commented on the timing of global standards in the context of his concerns about "assured value", the confidence that a stablecoin can always be redeemed at face value, on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund’s Spring Meetings.

Call for Unified International Standards

"We do have to have international standards to it to underpin assured value. I don't think we can have a situation where we've got different rules of engagement in different countries for that," Bailey said at an event hosted by the Institute of International Finance.

Domestic Actions and Regulatory Risks

Britain and the United States are among major economies pressing ahead with domestic rules for stablecoins as policymakers seek to capitalise on the technology, while guarding against financial stability risks.

Importance of Preventing Regulatory Arbitrage

International standards are seen as critical to preventing so-called regulatory arbitrage, where financial firms seek out the jurisdiction with the least onerous rules. 

Reporting Credits

(Reporting by William Schomberg in Washington and Phoebe Seers in London; Editing by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes and Alexander Smith)

Key Takeaways

  • Bailey warned that without international standards, confidence in guaranteed redemption (‘assured value’) of stablecoins could be undermined.
  • An FSB review through August 2025 finds regulation of global stablecoin arrangements lagging, with few jurisdictions having aligned frameworks.
  • Meanwhile, domestic moves like the U.S. GENIUS Act and Europe’s MiCA are pushing ahead, but international coordination remains critical to avoid regulatory loopholes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did BoE Governor Andrew Bailey say about stablecoin standards?
Andrew Bailey stated that progress on international stablecoin standards has slowed and emphasized the need for global regulatory consistency.
Why are international standards for stablecoins important?
International standards help ensure assured value and prevent regulatory arbitrage where firms seek the most lenient rules.
What concerns did Bailey express regarding stablecoins?
Bailey was concerned about 'assured value,' meaning the confidence in a stablecoin's ability to always be redeemed at face value.
What are major economies like the UK and US doing about stablecoin regulation?
Britain and the United States are developing domestic rules for stablecoins to leverage the technology while managing financial stability risks.
In what context did Bailey comment on stablecoin regulatory progress?
Bailey made his comments at the IMF’s Spring Meetings, also addressing the risk of fragmented rules across countries.

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