Why China’s Crypto Law Now Favors Stablecoins Over Bitcoin
After years of strict crypto bans, China is now quietly preparing to take its first big step toward stablecoins. The goal? To promote a yuan-backed digital currency and compete in the growing global stablecoin race. But behind this shift lies a deeper concern, the fear of capital leaving the country and the growing dominance of U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins.Let’s take a closer look at what’s happening.China Slowly Warms to StablecoinsFor years, China was strongly against crypto. It banned exchanges, mining, and warned citizens not to invest in digital assets. But now, reports suggest that China may approve the launch of its first stablecoins.China’s renewed interest is mainly focused on stablecoins tied to the renminbi (RMB). This shift comes at a time when the U.S. is leading global adoption of dollar-backed tokens, pushing China to rethink its position.According to the People’s Bank of China, stablecoins have already changed how global payments work. In response, officials are holding discussions with financial experts to find the safest way forward. But they’ve made one thing clear, any stablecoin allowed in China must follow the country’s strict financial rules.Hong Kong Becomes a Testing GroundEven in China, where crypto is banned on the mainland, conversations around stablecoins have picked up. Hong Kong, often used as China’s crypto testing ground, has passed a new law allowing licensed firms to issue fiat-backed tokens. But officials are being very cautious. Only a small number of licences will be given at first, focusing on business use rather than individual users.Strategy to Keep Money Inside ChinaOne key reason behind China’s interest in stablecoins is to stop capital from flowing out of the country. Officials fear that if people continue using U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins like USDT or USDC, it could weaken China’s grip on its financial system.To counter this, China is likely to support the development of yuan-backed stablecoins, digital tokens that can strengthen the RMB’s position in global trade while keeping money within Chinese borders.Balancing Control and InnovationChina’s central bank has openly voiced concerns about how dollar-based stablecoins boost U.S. financial influence. While China wants to push back against this trend, it’s also deeply cautious.Experts warn that once stablecoins are released into the market, they are hard to fully control, something that goes against China’s tightly managed financial model. The risk is that money could leave the country in ways regulators can’t easily track or stop.Not a Green Light for All CryptoIt’s important to note that this isn’t a full reversal of China’s crypto ban. The country still doesn’t allow the open trading of Bitcoin or Ethereum. However, by allowing certain stablecoins, China may be opening a door, just wide enough to test the waters without giving up control.FAQsWhat is a stablecoin? A stablecoin is a cryptocurrency designed to have a stable value, typically pegged to a traditional asset like the U.S. dollar, to minimize volatility and function as a reliable medium for transactions. Why is China interested in stablecoins now? China is interested in stablecoins to counter the growing dominance of U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins, promote the international use of the renminbi (yuan), and prevent capital from leaving the country. Does China’s new stablecoin policy mean the end of its crypto ban? No, this is not a full reversal of the crypto ban. China is still against the open trading of volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and is only cautiously exploring yuan-backed stablecoins.