What is Next for US Crypto Regulation?

On July 18, 2025, the United States officially signed its first major crypto legislation into law. The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, known as the GENIUS Act, was passed with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate and signed at the White House. The law creates a clear regulatory framework for stablecoins and marks a shift in how the federal government approaches digital assets.

What is Next for US Crypto Regulation?

What is Next for US Crypto Regulation?

Stablecoins are digital assets typically backed by the U.S. dollar, offering faster and cheaper transactions compared to traditional financial systems. They are used for everything from online payments to international remittances and allow developers to build apps and services that rely on programmable money.

Until now, the lack of clear regulation has made it difficult for stablecoin projects to operate confidently within the U.S. market. The GENIUS Act changes that by setting legal standards for how stablecoins are issued, managed, and audited. The goal is to make it easier for businesses to innovate while protecting consumers and the broader financial system.

With this law in place, stablecoins are expected to see more widespread adoption. That includes everything from everyday payments to more advanced use cases like micropayments, AI-driven transactions, and global commerce tools. The U.S. is also hoping this legislation will help it take a leading role in setting international standards for digital money.

What is Next for US Crypto Regulation?

The GENIUS and CLARITY Act

Now that the GENIUS Act is law, attention is turning to the next phase of crypto regulation. Lawmakers are considering broader legislation focused on the structure of the digital asset market. At the center of this effort is the CLARITY Act, officially titled the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (HR 3633).

The CLARITY Act passed the House with significant bipartisan support and is now moving to the Senate. It builds on momentum from earlier efforts like the FIT21 bill and is designed to address the gaps that still exist in how blockchain-based systems are regulated.

The main purpose of the CLARITY Act is to create rules for blockchain networks, exchanges, brokers, and other intermediaries in the crypto space. The bill aims to provide regulatory certainty for developers and businesses, while also ensuring that consumers are protected through stronger oversight and transparency.

What is Next for US Crypto Regulation?

Addressing a Regulatory Gap

While the GENIUS Act sets rules for stablecoins, it doesn’t cover the blockchains that power them. This leaves a gap in the regulatory framework. As stablecoins become more widely used, the networks they run on will become even more important to the financial system. Without clear standards for how these blockchains are managed, there’s a risk of exposing users and the economy to new types of problems.

The CLARITY Act aims to address this by establishing guidelines for how blockchain systems should operate. It would require registration for key intermediaries and enforce compliance rules similar to those already in place for traditional financial institutions. These measures are intended to support innovation while reducing risk.

By clarifying which digital assets fall under securities or commodities rules, the bill would also make it easier for developers to understand how to launch new projects without running into legal issues.

What is Next for US Crypto Regulation?

What This Means for Web3 and the US

Together, the GENIUS and CLARITY Acts represent a shift in U.S. policy on digital assets. They show that lawmakers are beginning to take a more structured approach to regulating web3 technologies. For developers, this could mean fewer legal hurdles and more freedom to build new applications, especially in gaming. For consumers, it could lead to safer, more transparent crypto products.

These efforts also reflect the U.S. government’s interest in maintaining a leadership role in the development of the internet’s next phase. As web3 continues to grow, setting clear and consistent rules is seen as essential to shaping a future where open, decentralized systems can thrive alongside user protections.

The GENIUS Act is a starting point. The next step is building a broader legal foundation through market structure reform. If passed, the CLARITY Act could define the future of blockchain regulation in the U.S. and influence how web3 evolves around the world.

Source: a16z