ECB, EU central banks oppose stablecoin bank deposit rule

The European Central Bank (ECB) and other EU central banks have expressed concerns against a proposed rule in the EU's crypto regulations that requires stablecoin issuers to hold a minimum proportion of their reserves as bank deposits. In a response to a consultation on the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations, the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) argued that this requirement could expose lenders to market fluctuations and result in less stable deposits.

Instead, the central banks suggested that stablecoin issuers should hold a minimum percentage of their reserves in assets that mature within one or five working days. The central banks also highlighted the challenges EU regulators face in enforcing crypto regulations, as non-compliant crypto firms continue to have access to EU customers, raising concerns about investor protection.