Coinbase Clashes with Banking Groups Over Stablecoin Rewards

Crypto exchange Coinbase has strongly condemned US banking groups for urging regulators to prohibit merchant rewards, cashbacks, and discounts offered to customers paying with stablecoins, deeming the request "unamerican."

The dispute centers on the legal interpretation of the GENIUS Act, which forbids stablecoin issuers from providing interest or yield to token holders but doesn't explicitly extend this prohibition to crypto exchanges or related businesses.

Banking groups argue that an "indirect interest" arises when a third party financially benefits from a connection to the stablecoin issuer. However, Coinbase's chief policy officer, Faryar Shirzad, vehemently disagreed in a post on X, calling on regulators to "stick to the statutory text."

"There is something unamerican about bank lobbyists pressing regulators to tell stablecoin customers what they can and cannot do with their own money after it is issued."

The banking groups are reportedly concerned that widespread adoption of yield-bearing stablecoins could weaken the banking system, which relies on attracting deposits with high-interest savings products to back loans.

Stablecoin Adoption Threatens Bank Deposits

Widespread stablecoin adoption could trigger over $6.6 trillion in deposit outflows from traditional banking, according to a US Treasury Department estimate in April.

Coinbase contends that stablecoins could significantly reduce the over $180 billion in card fees paid by US merchants in 2024; however, "big banks" are allegedly obstructing progress and preventing stablecoin innovations from challenging traditional payment systems.

Centralized exchanges benefit when stablecoin trading surges. Companies like Coinbase profit from stablecoin adoption through fees generated by increased trading volume.

Many crypto exchanges issue credit cards to incentivize merchant spending with cashback and crypto rewards — an offering Shirzad fears is under threat but remains confident that "common sense will prevail."


Risk Warning: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, investment research, or a recommendation to trade. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Markets.com. When considering shares, indices, forex (foreign exchange), and commodities for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involves a significant degree of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Leveraged products can result in capital loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Before trading, ensure you fully understand the risks involved and consider your investment objectives and level of experience. Cryptocurrency CFD trading restrictions may apply depending on jurisdiction.

Latest news

gold

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

Gold Price Today, July 24: Gold Slips to $4,043 as Dollar and Yields Rise

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

Nikkei 225 Falls 2.73% as Alphabet AI Costs Shake Japan Tech Stocks

oil

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

Brent Crude Holds Near $100 as Red Sea Supply Risks Escalate

South Korea Tightens Rules on Single-Stock Leveraged

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

South Korea Tightens Rules on Single-Stock Leveraged ETFs, Raises Cash Requirement to KRW 30 Million from July 31

intel earnings 2026 q2

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

Intel Q2 Revenue Jumps 25% on AI Demand, Beats Estimates as Strong Q3 Outlook Lifts Shares

crypto

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

Crypto Prices Today July 24: Bitcoin Steadies Near $65K as ETF Demand Counters Geopolitical Uncertainty

oil price news today

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

Oil Price News Today: Brent Slips Below $100 as Traders Weigh US-Iran Tensions

USD to JPY exchange rate today

Thursday, 23 July 2026

Indices

US Treasury Says Yen Is Deeply Undervalued, Urges Bank of Japan to Continue Rate Hikes

gold

Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Indices

Gold Price Today, July 23: Gold Holds Above $4,100 as Oil Rally Limits Gains

tesla earnings q2 2026

Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Indices

Tesla 2026 Q2 Earnings: Revenue Surges 26% as AI Investments Weigh on Profits and Cash Flow