Coinbase (COIN) stock is up, what you need to know

The OCC finalized rules for stablecoin issuers, easing reserve management restrictions but leaving stablecoin yield disputes unresolved. Circle (CRCL) and Coinbase (COIN) welcomed the rules, while banks criticized them. The rules take effect on Jan. 18, with CRCL and COIN stocks rising over 4%.

Circle Internet Group (CRCL) rose 6% to $90.65 after the OCC finalized stablecoin rules under the GENIUS Act. Strategy (MSTR) gained 8% to $154.41, and Coinbase (COIN) increased 5% to $178.86. The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) climbed 3%, outpacing the S&P 500. Circle's Q2 2026 report showed revenue growth of 6.6% to $701.3 million, with USDC in circulation up 25% to $76.5 billion.

Federal regulators allowed crypto companies to continue offering interest-like rewards, per new rules under the GENIUS Act. Stablecoin issuers like Circle cannot pay interest, but exchanges like Coinbase and Robinhood can. Banks oppose this, fearing deposit flight due to higher yields (e.g., Coinbase offers 3.5% vs. 0.38% average savings rate). The OCC will evaluate this on a case-by-case basis.

The OCC finalized rules for dollar-backed stablecoins under the GENIUS Act, outlining reserve, redemption, and custody standards. The rule does not explicitly ban stablecoin rewards, but their future remains uncertain. USDC holders on Coinbase can still earn rewards, though these lack guaranteed protection. The rule takes effect on January 18, 2027, with separate AML rules to follow.

Kazakhstan's financial regulator obtained court orders to restrict Coinbase and five other crypto platforms from providing unlicensed services in the Astana International Financial Centre. The injunctions prohibit these platforms from offering or marketing unlicensed digital asset services and distributing related mobile apps within the center.

Kazakhstan's AIFC Court barred Coinbase and five other crypto exchanges from offering unlicensed services in the Astana financial center, according to the Astana Financial Services Authority. The injunctions apply only to users within the AIFC and do not extend nationwide. LBank was removed from the order after resolving concerns, while Apple and Google face potential app-store duties. Coinbase had previously faced restrictions in Kazakhstan in 2023.