Citi Warns: Stablecoin Yields Could Shake Traditional Banking
A new report from Citi’s Ronit Ghose has set off alarms on Wall Street: if stablecoin issuers start paying interest to holders, it could spark massive deposit outflows from banks — echoing the money market fund boom of the 1980s. What’s Happening? Stablecoins paying yields may attract depositors away from banks. In the 1980s, similar shifts saw money market funds grow from $4B (1975) → $235B (1982) while banks lost billions in deposits. Analysts warn this could raise banks’ funding costs and make credit more expensive for households and businesses. The Regulatory Fight The US GENIUS Act bans stablecoin issuers from offering direct interest. But banks argue there’s a “loophole” that lets exchanges or affiliates provide yields indirectly. Banking lobby groups claim this could trigger $6.6 trillion in deposit outflows, destabilizing credit markets. The crypto industry counters that closing the loophole would unfairly protect banks while stifling innovation. The Bigger Picture Even as banks resist, the US government is embracing stablecoins as a tool to strengthen the dollar’s global dominance. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently stated: > “We will use stablecoins to keep the US dollar the world’s reserve currency.” This signals that Washington sees dollar-pegged stablecoins as a strategic weapon in global finance, not just a fintech experiment. Speculation & Investment Opportunity Bullish Angle: If regulators allow yield-bearing stablecoins, it could unlock a multi-trillion-dollar market, creating huge opportunities for issuers, exchanges, and DeFi platforms. Bearish Angle: Aggressive regulation could limit stablecoin growth, protecting banks but slowing adoption. Investor Insight: The clash between banks, regulators, and crypto builders will define the next wave of capital flows. Stablecoin projects aligned with US policy could see explosive adoption. This fight isn’t just about banking vs. crypto — it’s about the future of money. Stablecoins are positioning themselves at the center of global finance, and the winners could reshape both Wall Street and DeFi. $ETH $BNB
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