President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law on July 18, pledging that the measure will secure “global dominance” in crypto technology.
The legislation gives the US its first federal framework for dollar‑backed stablecoins. Trump celebrated the passing of the bill, saying:
“Crypto has gone up more than any stock. Crypto makes the dollar look good. Crypto is good for the dollar, the nation.”
He added that the GENIUS Act positions the country to lead the sector and vowed to approve broader crypto market structure legislation before the end of the year.
Senate Banking Committee ranking member Tim Scott called the statute “regulatory clarity for the stablecoin industry” and said faster, cheaper payments would “solidify the US dollar’s dominance across the world.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed the theme in an X post, thanking House Republicans for “actions that keep the promise” to make America the “crypto capital of the world.”
Stablecoin framework
The GENIUS Act creates a federal framework for issuing and overseeing payment stablecoins.
It assigns the Federal Reserve to license and supervise national-level, insured depository institutions, while permitting eligible, state-chartered firms to mint dollar-pegged tokens if they meet equivalent standards on reserves, disclosures, redemptions, and risk controls.
Issuers must back every token with high-quality liquid assets, such as cash, Treasury bills, or other short-dated government securities, that match their outstanding liabilities and provide regular attestation reports.
The law also directs bank regulators to set examination schedules, guarantees consumers the right to redeem at face value within specific time frames, and requires that reserve assets remain segregated unless customers give explicit consent for rehypothecation.
Last stretch
The House cleared the GENIUS Act 307‑122 on July 17, one day after adopting a 215‑211 motion to reconsider a procedural package that combined the GENIUS Act with the CLARITY Act and the Anti‑CBDC Surveillance Act.
Lawmakers first bundled the three measures on July 16 to expedite floor action, but that resolution did not constitute enrollable text. Committee staff then prepared the GENIUS language as a stand‑alone bill that both chambers could pass in identical form.
The Senate approved the consolidated version late on July 17, completing the bicameral process required for enrollment and presentation to the White House.
