Yellen Tells Regulators to ‘Act Quickly’ on Stablecoin Rules -

"New rules would cut into profit margins earned by issuers, but in the long-run should help them attract more users."

Why this is important: The recent rise in popularity, or market value, of stablecoins is causing Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and other regulators to push for rules surrounding the asset. A stablecoin is a type of digital currency with its value “fixed to a national currency or commodity and backed by reserves of that underlying asset.” However, with most, if not all, stablecoins, there is little information about what is actually backing the digital asset. With this and other concerns in mind, the President’s Working Group on Financial Markets “expects to issue recommendations in the coming months.” While it is unclear how they expect to regulate stablecoins, it is clear that regulations are needed if stablecoins, and other cryptocurrencies, will continue to become recognized payment options.