Stablecoins reg race: BoE’s shift and what it could mean for post-trade

The Bank of England (BoE) has published its consultation paper on sterling stablecoins, bringing these cryptocurrencies a step closer to regulated financial infrastructure.
Industry experts hailed the move as a “marked shift” by the BoE from anti-stablecoins to being open to them. Market participants have until 10 February 2026 to respond to the consultation with the BoE aiming to publish rules for systemic stablecoins later in 2026.
As many custodians plan to offer digital asset solutions in 2026, the news may have several considerations for operations, business and processes.