TL;DR
- China’s central bank views stablecoins as a serious threat to global financial stability, targeting them with stricter regulations.
- Governor Pan Gongsheng highlighted that fiat-backed stablecoins introduce vulnerabilities in international markets and could undermine monetary sovereignty of smaller economies.
- The PBoC plans to intensify enforcement against crypto activities within China, collaborating with law enforcement to combat illicit trading and speculative operations.
China’s Central Bank has once again taken a hard stance against stablecoins, claiming they present a direct risk to the global financial system. Speaking at the Financial Street Annual Meeting 2025, Governor Pan Gongsheng emphasized that digital currencies are still in an early stage of development, yet stablecoins have amplified structural weaknesses in international finance and fueled speculation.
Pan criticized fiat-backed stablecoins, especially those pegged to the U.S. dollar, noting they can undermine smaller nations’ monetary sovereignty. He also stressed that these assets fail to meet basic anti-money laundering standards, making them potential channels for illegal fund transfers, terrorist financing, and money laundering. Observers note that despite these warnings, global usage of stablecoins continues to expand, especially in regions where traditional banking infrastructure is limited. This growth reflects increasing demand for alternative financial tools beyond government control.
Central Bank Confirms Tighter Enforcement Measures
The PBoC reiterated that it will continue collaborating with law enforcement agencies to crack down on crypto trading and speculative operations within China. Pan praised past measures as effective while signaling that the government’s zero-tolerance approach toward private digital currencies remains unchanged. Analysts see this as part of China’s ongoing strategy to control financial activity while advancing the state-backed digital yuan, which the government considers a safer alternative to decentralized crypto assets.
Monitoring Global Stablecoin Development
In addition, Pan announced that the Central Bank will closely monitor stablecoin activity abroad, signaling concern over how foreign-issued stablecoins could affect China’s financial system. Despite global adoption of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, the PBoC insists that these digital assets carry too many systemic risks to be allowed within China’s borders.
Experts warn that these measures may push crypto investors toward offshore markets, potentially fueling innovation outside of the country. Growing international collaborations in crypto innovation may challenge China’s strict approach, while decentralized finance continues to expand its footprint worldwide.
While the crackdown appears strict, some observers argue that overregulation could stifle financial innovation. Crypto advocates note that stablecoins offer faster, cheaper cross-border payments and hedge against local currency volatility.
