Acting FDIC Chair Travis Hill spoke at the American Bankers Association summit, stating that the FDIC is planning to issue additional guidance to address specific digital asset use cases and expand regulatory clarity, including on the use of public, permissionless blockchains by banks. He also noted Congress' efforts to move stablecoin legislation, emphasizing that banking agencies must consider issues related to liquidity risk management, illicit finance, and cybersecurity. In addition, Hill questioned what additional regulatory clarity is needed as financial institutions continue to tokenize real-world assets and liabilities.

Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) said at an American Bankers Association conference that a Senate floor vote on stablecoin legislation could happen before the end of May, but added that he first wants to find common ground with the House. Chair Scott noted that he met last Friday with House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill (R-AR) and other lawmakers involved in the stablecoin effort.

Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chair August Pfluger (R-TX) and Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL) announced the launch of the RSC Emerging Technologies Task Force, which will spearhead policy initiatives on AI, blockchain, biotech, and more. The Task Force will be led by Reps. Cammack and Jay Obernolte (R-CA). In a press release, Rep. Cammack highlighted the need to cement US leadership on AI, blockchain, robotics, quantum computing, 5G, and other emerging technologies.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee marked up and advanced several bills, including the Deploying American Blockchains Act (H.R. 1664), which directs the Commerce secretary to advise the president on policy pertaining to the deployment and use of blockchain technology, and the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act (H.R. 2444), which aims to promote the stability of US supply chains for critical industries and emerging technologies, including blockchain. H.R. 1664 passed by voice vote, while H.R. 2444 passed in a vote of 50-1.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced plans to make it easier for firms to test innovative products and support new firms applying for regulatory approval, including crypto firms. In a press release, the FCA explained that every firm that uses the agency's Regulatory Sandbox to test innovative products will be provided with an authorization case officer in order to "help the right firms get authorized and bring innovative products and services to market faster."

The Justice Department is reportedly disbanding its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET), with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stating in a memo that employees should focus on prosecuting individuals who victimize digital asset investors, rather than crypto exchanges, mixers, and offline wallets. NCET, established in 2021 under former President Biden, is composed of prosecutors from DOJ's money laundering and cybercrime units, alongside attorneys from other district officers.

Staffers on the House Financial Services and Agriculture committees are scheduled to brief other aides from across the Republican conference on crypto policy next Wednesday, April 16. According to an invitation obtained by Politico, the session "will provide an overview of digital assets, their legislative history, and current legislative efforts." The session comes as lawmakers on the committee are gearing up to pass legislation to overhaul stablecoins and the broader digital asset market structure.

The Financial Stability Board (FSB) nominated Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England, to serve as the next FSB Chair. The Plenary will formalize the appointment when it meets in person in June, and Bailey's three-year term would begin on July 1, 2025. Bailey has led recent key FSB reform initiatives, including on crypto assets and non-bank financial intermediation.

Sling Money announced that it has received a MiCA license from the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM). The company announced that, as part of its MiCA license, it is introducing EURC as the underlying stablecoin for all European customers using Sling Money. The company said in a press release that "This transition ensures that European users have a digital asset tied to their local currency, smoothly integrating global transfers with regional financial systems."