Scott Bessent urges G20 to refocus on core mission of growth, with digital assets on the agenda

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is trying to do something unusual for a gathering of finance ministers from the world’s 20 largest economies: keep them on topic. Bessent announced the priorities for America’s 2026 G20 presidency on February 19, and the thesis is refreshingly blunt. The G20 should get back to its original purpose of promoting global economic growth, managing sovereign debt, and maintaining financial stability. Also on the menu: a formal endorsement of a digital assets ecosystem. The 3-3-3 plan At the center of Bessent’s pitch is what he’s calling the “3-3-3 plan,” a framework built around three targets. Average GDP growth of 3%. Annual budget deficits capped at 3% of GDP. And a daily increase of 3 million barrels in US oil production. The G20 Finance Ministerial itself is scheduled for Asheville, North Carolina, from August 29 to September 1, 2026. Debt transparency and restructuring Beyond the headline growth targets, Bessent is pushing for enhanced debt transparency and smoother restructuring processes across G20 member nations. Digital assets get a seat at the table Perhaps the most notable item on Bessent’s agenda for crypto markets is the explicit inclusion...