The U.K. and U.S. set out shared stablecoin principles through their Transatlantic Taskforce for Markets of the Future, backing 1:1 reserves, holder protections and cross-border access. The move aims to keep digital-money rules from splitting the transatlantic financial system.
The U.K. and U.S. governments have issued a joint statement on stablecoins that pushes toward aligned rules on reserves, redemption and market access. Both said the coordination is meant to stop digital-money rules from fragmenting the transatlantic financial system.
The statement came through the Transatlantic Taskforce for Markets of the Future, established in Sept. 2025. Both governments said stablecoins could improve payments, settlement and financial market infrastructure if properly regulated. They framed the instruments as part of a broader shift in money and capital markets, with private digital money developing alongside public-sector oversight.
Cross-border settlement takes priority
The two governments said they intend to enable stablecoins for cross-border finance, covering payments, settlement, capital markets and transactions between jurisdictions. They described stablecoins as an important vehicle for innovation in digital money and committed to supporting safe, sound and stable growth in their circulation and use.
The statement also backed the coexistence of several forms of digital money, including tokenized deposits and similar instruments. That language suggests neither country wants a single official model; instead, they aim to set standards while allowing private-sector competition. On access, they said lawful, regulated providers should have fair, risk-based access to financial services and markets — a point that matters for crypto firms that have struggled to bank in both countries.
One-to-one backing and holder claims
The statement sets a clear expectation on reserves. According to Bitcoin News, the two governments said stablecoins held out as money should be "fully backed, on at least a one-to-one basis, by high-quality, liquid assets." Both said eligible reserves should be defined in each country’s framework, while warning against overly restrictive rules that could fragment markets or undermine commercial viability.
It also calls for strong custody, segregation and redemption standards, with reserve assets kept separate from an issuer’s own funds. In the event of issuer failure, both countries said holders should have a clear legal claim on reserves, potentially ranking ahead of other creditors depending on domestic law.
The statement closes by committing to explore pathways for stablecoins issued in one jurisdiction to access the other’s market. For the stablecoin industry, that cross-border ambition may be the most important signal in the document.
Sources: UK Government, Bitcoin News
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