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McHenry’s Call for Stablecoin Regulation Gains Momentum Amid PayPal’s Entry

source-logo  coinpedia.org 07 August 2023 14:05, UTC
Story Highlights
  • U.S. Representative Patrick McHenry has been advocating for stablecoin regulation for a while. Recent events, including the passing of the Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act and PayPal's stablecoin launch, have reinforced his call for a clear regulatory framework to ensure stablecoins' potential is harnessed.

  • PayPal has introduced its own stablecoin, PYUSD, pegged to the U.S. dollar. It's backed by Paxos Trust and can be exchanged for dollars or other cryptocurrencies within PayPal's network, marking a significant step in mainstream financial entities entering the stablecoin market.

Last month, the bipartisan approval of the Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act, H.R. 4766, marked a significant stride in U.S. cryptocurrency regulation.

However, the bill’s subsequent stall in Congress disappointed U.S. Representative Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), who has been advocating for stablecoin legislation even before assuming control of the House financial services committee.

Recent developments, such as PayPal’s introduction of its own stablecoin for payments, have reinvigorated McHenry’s push for a comprehensive regulatory framework for stablecoins.

Championing Stablecoin Potential: McHenry’s Call for Regulation

Patrick McHenry has consistently championed a supportive environment for the cryptocurrency market. He has questioned Gary Gensler, Chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and expressed concern about Gensler’s statements on spot Bitcoin ETF filings. McHenry’s latest focus has been on stablecoins, as he believes they hold great promise for modernizing the payments landscape.

McHenry emphasizes, “Stablecoins hold promise as a pillar of our 21st century payments system if issued under a clear regulatory framework.”

Addressing the urgency for stablecoin regulations, McHenry stresses, “Comprehensive digital asset regulation, especially for stablecoins, is crucial. Clear regulations and robust consumer protections are essential for them to reach their full potential.”

PayPal’s Entry into Stablecoin Realm

In a groundbreaking move, PayPal has entered the stablecoin market by introducing its Ethereum-based token, PYUSD. This U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin is accessible to U.S. PayPal users, marking the first instance of a major financial entity launching its own stablecoin.

PYUSD is backed by Paxos Trust, a New York-based crypto financial services firm. The stablecoin’s value is supported by U.S. dollar deposits, short-term Treasuries, and similar cash equivalents.

Within PayPal’s network, PYUSD can be seamlessly exchanged for dollars and converted into other cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, bitcoin cash, ether, and litecoin.

With these recent developments and McHenry’s unwavering advocacy, the push for stablecoin regulation gains momentum, underscoring the need for a clear and encompassing regulatory framework in the cryptocurrency landscape

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Stablecoin
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