China Bans Unauthorised Yuan-Pegged Stablecoins Overseas

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-02-07Last updated on 2026-02-07

Abstract

China's regulators, led by the People's Bank of China (PBOC), have prohibited the unauthorized issuance of yuan-pegged stablecoins overseas and expanded the ban to include real-world assets linked to the currency. The joint statement, issued with seven government agencies, forbids both domestic and foreign entities from issuing such stablecoins without official approval. Authorities warn that these tokens mimic monetary functions and threaten monetary sovereignty, while unregulated circulation could undermine the yuan's stability. The ban also targets services related to tokenized financial assets, such as blockchain-based bonds or equities. This move reinforces China's 2021 crypto trading ban and aligns with its strategy to suppress private digital currencies while promoting the state-backed digital yuan (e-CNY).

The regulators of China have now tightened control for digital assets and have prohibited the unauthorised issuance of yuan-pegged stablecoins overseas and widened the prohibition to real-world assets associated with the currency of the country.

On February 6, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), with seven government agencies, released a joint statement stating that individuals and companies, domestic or foreign, may not issue renminbi-linked stablecoins without having official approval.

The regulators said that such tokens imitate prominent functions of money and could intimidate monetary sovereignty. Stablecoins attached to fiat currencies do some of the functions of fiat currencies, as per the notice.

The notice also warned that circulation outside regulatory oversight could reduce the stability of the yuan. The rules also aim at services associated with tokenised financial assets, comprising blockchain-based representations of bonds or equities.

What Does the Ban Further Comprise?

Overseas bodies are not allowed to offer associated products to users inside China if they lack permission from regulators. Beijing acknowledged its established position on crypto payments, confirming that assets like Bitcoin and ETH do not have legal tender status and that easing transactions or associated services includes illegal activity.

The policy created a sweeping ban rolled out by the central bank in 2021 that successfully eliminated crypto trading and payments from the domestic financial system. A legal polymath and ex-sovereign wealth fund official, Winston Ma, stated that the prohibition is applied to both onshore and offshore versions of the renminbi.

The offshore yuan, called CNH, is made for foreign exchange flexibility along with keeping capital controls. The steps seem to suit a broader strategy of prohibiting privately issued digital currencies while boosting the state-backed digital yuan.

China has spent many years developing an e-CNY central bank digital currency, and not long ago, it permitted commercial banks to share interest with users holding digital yuan wallets to boost adoption.

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TagschinaDigital currencyStablecoin

Related Questions

QWhat is the main action taken by Chinese regulators regarding yuan-pegged stablecoins?

AChinese regulators have prohibited the unauthorized issuance of yuan-pegged stablecoins overseas.

QWhich central bank led the joint statement with seven government agencies on February 6?

AThe People's Bank of China (PBOC) led the joint statement.

QAccording to the notice, why are such stablecoins considered a threat?

AThey imitate prominent functions of money and could intimidate monetary sovereignty.

QWhat broader strategy does this prohibition seem to suit?

AIt suits a strategy of prohibiting privately issued digital currencies while boosting the state-backed digital yuan (e-CNY).

QAre overseas bodies allowed to offer related products to users inside China without permission?

ANo, overseas bodies are not allowed to offer associated products to users inside China without regulatory permission.

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