Circle’s CSO Shuts Down ’Bank’ Rumors—Demands Clear Stablecoin Rules Now

Another day, another crypto company forced to deny it’s morphing into the very system it aimed to disrupt. Circle’s Chief Strategy Officer just slapped down whispers of the stablecoin issuer becoming a bank—while throwing regulators under the bus for lacking clear rules.

Finance’s favorite pastime? Watching crypto firms zig-zag between ’we’re the future’ and ’please, sir, may we have some legislation?’

Circle Clarifies Stance Amid Speculation on Bank Licensing

“We do intend to comply with a future U.S. regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, which may require registering for a federal or state trust charter or other nonbank license,” said Dante.

“We urge Congress to pass bipartisan payment stablecoin legislation now to champion American innovation, stability, and consumer safety,” he added.

A report on April 21 placed Circle among several crypto firms said to be exploring bank charters, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

Alongside BitGo, companies such as Paxos and Coinbase were described as considering various forms of licensure—including trust charters and industrial bank models—to bring their stablecoin and custody businesses under formal regulatory oversight.

The article linked these discussions to potential legislation moving through Congress that would require stablecoin issuers to hold either a federal or state charter.

That framework, backed by members of both parties, is designed to bring oversight to the growing market for dollar-backed tokens used in digital payments and settlement.

Stablecoin Rules in the U.S. Still Undefined

Circle, which issues the USDC stablecoin, has been central to policy debates around digital dollar assets.

As one of the two largest stablecoin issuers globally, the company is often referenced in regulatory contexts—even when it has not made formal moves in line with the speculation.

The U.S. still lacks a unified legal framework for stablecoins, leaving oversight split across agencies.

While Congress debates new rules, firms like Circle are navigating patchwork requirements that mirror banking without the benefits or obligations of becoming a bank.

Other markets have moved faster. Europe’s MiCA and Japan’s stablecoin laws provide clearer paths for issuers. Without similar clarity in the U.S., regulatory ambiguity continues to shape how—and where—stablecoin companies operate.