OCC proposes AML and sanctions rules for permitted payment stablecoin issuers

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (FR Doc No: 2026-12692, Docket ID OCC-2026-0463, RIN 1557-AF55) that would amend the March 2, 2026 proposal to add a new paragraph to proposed § 15.13 and create a new subpart R in 12 CFR part 19. The changes apply to every permitted payment stablecoin issuer subject to OCC supervision.

Under the proposed § 15.13(c), each permitted payment stablecoin issuer must comply with the Bank Secrecy Act and sanctions requirements contained in 31 CFR chapter V and 31 CFR chapter X, including any AML/CFT program, sanctions program, and reporting obligations promulgated by FinCEN and OFAC. The OCC explicitly states that the rule does not impose additional requirements beyond those existing Treasury regulations.

The amendment also adds subpart R to part 19, defining terms such as "AML/CFT requirement," "AML/CFT enforcement action," and "significant AML/CFT supervisory action," and outlines the OCC's supervision and enforcement policy. Enforcement actions may include cease-and-desist orders, consent orders, memoranda of understanding, or civil money penalties, but do not affect criminal enforcement under the BSA.

Comments on the proposal must be received by July 24, 2026. The OCC directs commenters to the Federal eRulemaking Portal (Regulations.gov) using the title "Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuer Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Sanctions Compliance Risk Management" and the docket number OCC-2026-0463. Additional submission methods include mail or hand delivery to the Chief Counsel's Office in Washington, DC.