G20 finance ministers and central bank governors have pledged to develop clearer regulatory pathways for digital assets, saying responsible innovation could support economic growth and improve financial systems.
The commitment was set out in the G20 Chair’s Statement issued after a two-day meeting in Asheville, North Carolina. Officials said digital financial innovation, including the development and use of digital assets, could contribute to “broad-based economic growth” and play an important role in encouraging innovation across the private sector.
The statement said: “We commit to advancing responsible and effective regulatory and supervisory frameworks that preserve financial stability, support economic growth, and establish clear pathways for sound digital financial and digital assets innovation, while considering cross-border opportunities and challenges as appropriate.”
The pledge comes as governments and regulators continue to assess how cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and other digital assets should be governed. The G20 did not set out a single global framework, but its members indicated that future rules should support technological development while protecting financial stability.
The officials also said they were awaiting forthcoming findings from the Financial Stability Board on the cross-border implications of global stablecoin arrangements. Those findings are expected to examine stablecoin data sources, the availability of relevant information and the potential challenges presented by such arrangements.
Stablecoins are digital assets designed to maintain a stable value, often by being linked to a traditional currency or other assets. Their use across borders has prompted questions about regulation, supervision and the possible effects on established financial systems.
The G20 ministers and central bank governors also reaffirmed their support for the G20 Roadmap for Enhancing Cross-border Payments. As part of that work, they asked member countries to extend the operating hours of large-value payment systems.
Longer operating hours could help support the movement of money between countries and improve the efficiency of international payments. The request forms part of wider G20 efforts to make cross-border transactions faster and more accessible.
Several G20 members, including the United States, the European Union and Japan, have already introduced frameworks covering digital assets or stablecoins. Those measures followed reviews of the potential for such technologies to improve the efficiency and accessibility of existing financial and payments systems.
The statement therefore links future digital asset regulation with two priorities: preserving the stability of the financial system and encouraging innovation that could broaden access to financial services. It also recognises that digital assets create opportunities and challenges that may extend across national borders.
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