The presumption clause on the illegality of third-party stablecoin rewards has been removed, as the OCC becomes the first to finalize implementation rules for the GENIUS Act

Odaily reports that the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has published the final rules implementing the GENIUS Act, becoming the first regulatory agency to finalize stablecoin implementation rules under the legislation. The rules will take effect on January 18, 2027, providing an access pathway for banks and non-bank enterprises to engage in payment stablecoin business, and establishing standards for foreign stablecoin issuers and asset custody.

Regarding stablecoin rewards, the final rules remove the presumption clause in the draft proposal that certain commercial arrangements between issuers and third parties may constitute a violation, but the statutory prohibition on issuers paying interest directly to stablecoin holders remains in effect. The OCC will review issuer-third party relationships on a case-by-case basis and may take enforcement action against conduct that circumvents the Act.