China’s Central Bank Reaffirms That Virtual Assets and Stablecoins Are Illegal for Payments

China’s central bank reaffirmed that virtual assets and stablecoins are not legal payment instruments and that related transactions remain illegal.

Oleg Petrenko By Oleg Petrenko Published: Updated:

China’s central bank convened a coordination meeting this week and reiterated that virtual assets, including stablecoins, are not recognized as legal tender in the country. The bank stated that transactions involving crypto-related instruments remain illegal due to persistent concerns around KYC and AML compliance, as well as risks linked to cross-border transfers.

Officials emphasized that unregulated digital asset activity continues to threaten financial stability and complicate enforcement of anti-fraud measures. Regulators plan to strengthen monitoring of platforms and intermediaries that attempt to facilitate crypto-based payments or remittances.

The renewed stance signals Beijing’s continued commitment to restricting private digital currencies while prioritizing development of its state-backed digital yuan. Authorities said coordinated efforts will focus on closing loopholes and preventing systemic risks tied to unauthorized virtual asset operations.

Business, Regulation & Policy