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Exploring the Role of Stablecoins in Asia
Stablecoins connect crypto and traditional finance but pose risks to monetary sovereignty. They need strong regulation, particularly in Asia, to ensure stability while enabling financial innovation.
Navigating Stablecoins in Asia
The crypto landscape, for over a decade, has been marked by volatility, with stablecoins emerging as a crucial bridge to traditional finance. The GENIUS Act in the US signals a global shift, prompting questions about stablecoins’ role in financial evolution versus their threat to monetary sovereignty. The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) explores these dynamics, stressing the importance of rigorous regulation in building our financial future.
Stablecoins: Opportunities and Challenges
Stablecoins are akin to “e-money tokens,” offering digital portability similar to GrabPay or Alipay. Their tokenization enables seamless transactions across borders without a traditional banking network. However, this efficiency brings regulatory challenges. In Asia, concerns about “digital dollarization” arise, yet stablecoins could enable direct currency exchanges, reducing reliance on the US dollar. This change, similar to a “Google Translate” effect, allows local currencies to interact more efficiently.
Building a Stable Financial Framework
Despite potential benefits, maintaining stability in stablecoins is crucial. They need strong regulatory backing, similar to narrow banking, to avoid risks akin to 19th-century wildcat banknotes. AMRO envisions a layered monetary system with central bank money, commercial deposits, and stablecoins playing complementary roles. To avoid monetary fragmentation, authorized stablecoins must be convertible at par with central bank money. Policymakers must balance innovation with stability, ensuring robust regulations while exploring local currency-pegged tokens.
Source: From Crypto to Commerce: Navigating Stablecoins in Asia – ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office
