On March 31, 2025, Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, dropped a bombshell—he’s calling on U.S. lawmakers to let people earn interest on their stablecoins! 🚀 This move could level the playing field between crypto and traditional banking, giving consumers a shot at growing their wealth. But as always, it’s not all smooth sailing—there’s plenty of debate over what this could mean for the future of the crypto world.
Stablecoins—digital currencies tied to traditional money like the U.S. dollar—are already a hit, thanks to their stability and transparency. But Armstrong thinks they’re not living up to their potential. Right now, stablecoin issuers hold reserves in safe assets like U.S. Treasury bonds. The catch? They’re pocketing the interest, not passing it on to the people who actually own the stablecoins. Armstrong’s pitch? Let consumers get a slice of the pie. 🥧
He argues that allowing stablecoin holders to earn interest wouldn’t just help users—it could give the U.S. economy a boost too. Since U.S. banks already offer interest-bearing accounts under certain exemptions, Armstrong believes stablecoin issuers should be allowed to do the same without running into legal roadblocks.
“Consumers deserve a bigger piece of the pie,” Armstrong said. By unlocking the ability to earn interest, he believes both users and the economy would benefit, while keeping innovation right here in the U.S. 🇺🇸
Imagine this: if stablecoin holders could earn a share of the interest from the assets backing their digital dollars, it would be a massive win for users. Right now, that interest stays with the issuers. Armstrong wants to change that, giving consumers direct access to higher interest rates.
In the U.S., the Federal Reserve’s market yield was 4.75% in 2024, but the average savings account interest rate? Less than 0.5%, with some accounts offering as low as 0.01%. 😳 Armstrong’s plan could close that gap, giving people a way to earn more, even amid inflation.
Armstrong’s proposal isn’t just about helping U.S. consumers—it could help billions of people around the world who don’t have access to traditional banking services. In countries with unstable currencies or high inflation, people could earn interest on stablecoins backed by the U.S. dollar. All they need is an internet connection. 🌐
By introducing interest-earning stablecoins, the U.S. could give underbanked populations a way to access a stable financial system without a bank account. It’s all about opening the door to the global economy, making it easier for people to earn, save, and grow their wealth. 💵
It’s not just about helping individuals. Armstrong believes that allowing interest on stablecoins could benefit the U.S. economy as a whole. Stablecoin issuers are already major buyers of U.S. Treasuries, pushing up global demand for dollar-based assets. If stablecoin holders earned interest, it would only boost this demand and strengthen the U.S. dollar on the world stage.
According to Armstrong, this could lead to more consumer spending, saving, and investment. “If we don’t unlock on-chain interest, the U.S. misses out on billions more USD users and trillions in potential cash flows,” he warned. 🌍
There’s one major hurdle: regulations. Right now, stablecoins don’t fall under the same rules that allow banks to offer interest on savings accounts. Armstrong is pushing for new legislation that would make it clear how stablecoins can offer interest without triggering complex securities laws. ⏳
Brian Armstrong’s call for stablecoin interest regulations has the potential to reshape the financial landscape. By allowing consumers to earn interest, the U.S. could democratize access to financial services, boost economic growth, and make the U.S. dollar even more dominant globally. But for it to happen, lawmakers need to take action and update the regulatory framework to make this vision a reality.
Will this push make stablecoins the next big thing for the global economy? Only time will tell! ⏳
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