Canada Urged to Develop Stablecoin Regulations Amid Global Advancements

According to Cointelegraph, Canada's central bank is advocating for the establishment of a regulatory framework for stablecoins to modernize the nation's payment system and prevent lagging behind other countries that are advancing with similar policies. Ron Morrow, the executive director of payments, supervision, and oversight at the Bank of Canada, emphasized the urgency of this initiative during a speech at the Chartered Professional Accountants conference in Ottawa, Canada. Morrow's remarks, published on the central bank's website, highlighted the necessity for federal and provincial regulators to devise a policy framework for stablecoins. He stated that for stablecoins to be recognized as money, they must be as secure and stable as the balance in a bank account. Morrow further noted that governments worldwide are moving to regulate stablecoins and other cryptocurrencies to ensure consumers can benefit from them while being protected from credit and liquidity risks. Many jurisdictions globally either have or are on the verge of implementing a regulatory framework for crypto assets. The stablecoin market is predominantly led by US-dollar pegged tokens. Morrow's comments coincide with what the crypto industry refers to as "stablecoin summer," a period marked by the resurgence of stablecoins following the enactment of the GENIUS Act in the United States, which facilitated the widespread adoption of stablecoins. Meanwhile, the Bank of Canada has shifted its focus away from central bank digital currency (CBDC) plans. In 2022, the bank collaborated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to explore the development of a CBDC. However, in September 2024, the bank decided to abandon its CBDC plans to prioritize other initiatives, such as the creation of a real-time payment system that enables instant fund transfers. The bank conducted a survey to gauge Canadians' perceptions of a CBDC, revealing that 42% of respondents viewed CBDCs positively, while 20% expressed dislike or even hatred towards the concept. CBDCs remain a divisive issue within the crypto community, with many participants arguing that the technology contradicts the principles of open, permissionless finance. Critics also warn that CBDCs could lead to increased surveillance by the state.