[OCC Encourages Community Banks to Apply to Become Payment Stablecoin Issuers] Odaily reports that the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is encouraging community banks to develop payment stablecoin businesses and is considering applying to become approved payment stablecoin issuers. The OCC finalized rules related to the GENIUS Act last week, which will take effect in January next year. This initiative comes as several banking groups oppose the OCC's proposed rules regarding stablecoin yields, arguing that they deviate from the congressional legislative intent of the GENIUS Act. The Independent Community Bankers Association sued the OCC earlier this month, alleging that crypto companies are not subject to the same regulatory requirements, thus giving them an advantage over community banks. (Cointelegraph)