Bitcoin Investors and Their Need-to-Know on The GENIUS, CLARITY, and Anti-CBDC Acts
The United States has taken a significant step forward in cryptocurrency regulation with the passage of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act) in late July. Signed into law by President Trump on July 18, 2025, the GENIUS Act establishes the first comprehensive federal regulatory framework specifically for USD-backed payment stablecoins.
The GENIUS Act aims to strike a balance between fostering innovation and ensuring accountability in the stablecoin sector. It proposes "permitted stablecoin issuers" who are subject to state and federal licensing and oversight, maintaining full 1:1 reserve backing in approved low-risk assets and complying with anti-money laundering and consumer protection laws under the Bank Secrecy Act. This move is expected to bring a measure of accountability to the space, without forcing the issuers to follow traditional banking rules or undercutting some of the privacy features that make stablecoins popular.
Meanwhile, the CLARITY Act, which passed in the House of Representatives on July 17, aims to provide regulatory clarity for bitcoin-related entities. The bill seeks to clarify how digital assets are treated under federal securities and commodities laws, aiming to reduce regulatory overlap and provide clearer jurisdictional authority between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The CLARITY Act introduces the concept of a “digital commodity,” expanding CFTC jurisdiction over spot trading of digital commodities previously unregulated federally.
The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, also passed by the House on July 17, is aimed at blocking the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) for public use without explicit congressional approval. Hardline conservatives view government-sponsored blockchains of citizen transactions as a form of Big Brother financial surveillance, and the Act aims to protect privacy by preventing a CBDC that could enable government surveillance.
The GENIUS Act, CLARITY Act, and Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act are poised to have a significant impact on the cryptocurrency landscape. While the GENIUS Act is already law and will soon be implemented, the CLARITY Act and Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act require Senate approval to take effect, and their final impact depends on legislative progress.
The adoption and support for stablecoins will make more mainstream consumers and businesses increasingly comfortable with crypto, potentially driving broader ecosystem trust. For bitcoin investors, the GENIUS Act and CLARITY Act could foster clearer stablecoin infrastructure, possibly reducing risks in crypto payments and liquidity, while the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act addresses surveillance concerns by preventing the development of CBDCs in the U.S.
As the crypto market continues to evolve, regulatory clarity is crucial for fostering innovation, building investor confidence, and ensuring that digital assets can coexist with minimal impact on the value proposition of established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
- CoinDesk - The GENIUS Act: What it means for stablecoins
- CoinDesk - House passes bill to block Fed from issuing CBDC without Congress
- CoinDesk - The GENIUS Act: What it means for bitcoin and the crypto industry
- Bloomberg - The U.S. Is About to Get Its First Federal Stablecoin Framework
- Federal Reserve - The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act
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