Stablecoins

Stablecoins’ Silent Revolution: The Fed as a Global Retail Bank? The rapid proliferation and adoption of dollar-pegged stablecoins have often been celebrated for their efficiency in cross-border payments, their role in lubricating the DeFi ecosystem, and their promise of financial inclusion. However, a recent research paper from Sei Labs presents a thought-provoking analysis, arguing that these digital dollars are inadvertently transforming the U.S. Federal Reserve into a de facto global retail bank and introducing an “impossible quartet” for central banks worldwide. This research challenges us to reconsider the profound, often unseen, implications of Web3 innovations on traditional financial sovereignty and global monetary policy. ...

The global Web3 landscape is constantly evolving, with regulatory discussions often at the forefront. A recent development that has caught our attention is Circle’s proactive engagement with Swiss stablecoin consultations. The issuer of the widely-used USDC stablecoin is advocating for a pragmatic approach to regulation, emphasizing an “equivalence pathway” for regulated foreign stablecoins. This isn’t just a move for Circle; it’s a significant indicator of the broader industry’s call for sensible, interconnected global crypto regulation. ...

Hong Kong, a vibrant global financial hub, is making significant strides not just in traditional finance but also in cementing its position as a leading Web3 innovation center. A recent announcement from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) regarding its RMB business facility, while seemingly a conventional finance headline, carries subtle yet profound implications for the burgeoning Web3 ecosystem in the region and beyond. HKMA’s Strategic RMB Push: Bolstering Offshore Liquidity The HKMA has announced a substantial expansion of its RMB liquidity facility, doubling it to a staggering RMB200 billion yuan. This strategic move comes in response to overwhelming demand, with 40 banks having already exhausted their initial quotas for offshore yuan (CNH) transactions. The primary objective is clear: to enhance Hong Kong’s role as the premier offshore RMB business hub and to expand the yuan’s international reach, particularly into ASEAN nations and Europe. ...