Delaware has introduced a bill regulating payment stablecoins in line with the GENIUS Act.
This makes it the second state in the US, after Florida, to develop such legislation.
The move aims to foster crypto innovation and adoption, though proposed federal rules that would set a zero-interest rate for dormant stablecoins could temper its impact.
Lawmakers in Delaware have introduced the Delaware Payment Stablecoin Act, also known as Senate Bill 19, to foster cryptocurrency adoption in the state by providing clarity in stablecoin regulation.
Delaware joins Florida in state stablecoin regulation
Placed under Delaware banking law, the bipartisan bill borrows heavily from the GENIUS Act in order to remain compliant with broader federal policies.
Among its key provisions, all stablecoin-issuing companies will be required to obtain operational licenses in the state. The legislation further mandates that all payment stablecoins be backed 1:1 by reserves, with monthly audits to verify compliance. Additionally, providers of these digital payment currencies must maintain Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols as part of broader anti-money laundering (AML) compliance measures.
Delaware now joins Florida in introducing a payment stablecoin act at the state level. While Florida’s bill still awaits signing by its Governor, Delaware’s bill faces a longer road ahead — it must first clear the Senate Banking, Business, Insurance & Technology Committee before seeking full Senate and House approval.
Nonetheless, the move highlights states’ growing interest in and adoption of cryptocurrencies. It also encourages crypto-focused companies to establish operations in the state, free from the instability that comes with regulatory uncertainty.
More specifically, the bill would reinforce the legitimacy of stablecoin payment providers, which would in turn encourage institutional investment. Delaware’s long-standing reputation as a corporate-friendly jurisdiction — already home to the majority of US-incorporated businesses — makes this a natural extension of its broader economic strategy.
The latest in federal regulation
At the federal level, the regulatory picture is more mixed. USDC issuer Circle and crypto exchange Coinbase are both experiencing negative price movement in their stocks following a Clarity Act draft that proposed zero interest on dormant stablecoins — a provision that could undermine yield-generating business models central to the stablecoin ecosystem.
This creates a notable tension: while states like Delaware and Florida are rolling out the welcome mat for stablecoin issuers, proposed federal legislation could simultaneously erode the financial incentives that make stablecoins attractive to institutional players. How the broader crypto community and banking institutions respond to this interplay between state and federal frameworks will be a key story to watch as Delaware’s bill progresses through the legislature.