GENIUS Act Could Be the Spark That Ignites a Global Race Towards Stablecoin Dominance

It’s been a long journey from the entry of stablecoins into DeFi spaces to their adoption by mainstream finance industries.

It’s been a long journey from the entry of stablecoins into DeFi spaces to their adoption by mainstream finance industries. Regulations are always slow to respond to technological innovations. But with the proposed GENIUS (Guiding and Establishing National Innovation) Act we might be witnessing a step towards the largest banking and fintech industries, including central banks and G-SIBs, widely adopting stablecoins as a means of transferring money.

Senator Bill Hagerty introduced the GENIUS Act in February 2025, co-sponsored by senators Cynthia Lummis, Kristen Gillibrand and Tim Scott. Stablecoin proponents have long called for something that would bring these assets to the mainstream. But what does this hefty bill achieve, and how will it change the landscapes of banking and fintech?

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: this is the year for digital assets.

I joined @SenatorHagerty to introduce the GENIUS Act, fulfilling @POTUS's promise to make America the capital of crypto. 🇺🇸

We've reached this milestone thanks to the tireless work of many. 🤝

— Senator Bill Hagerty (@SenatorHagerty) February 27, 2025

Why are Stablecoins Becoming Mainstream?

We have written a lot about stablecoins at Disruption Banking. We’re one of the few outlets to have really investigated the ‘Sand Dollar,’ the unlikely currency which revolutionized stablecoins from the Bahamas.

Stablecoins are a cryptocurrency with a value pegged to another asset. This can be a fiat currency, another cryptocurrency, or a commodity such as gold.

Stablecoins are especially revolutionary for cross-currency transactions and remittances. They can provide instant payments with increased confidence for both parties, without currency conversion or intermediary processing fees.

In some ways, it’s helpful to think of the Euro as a sort of proto-stablecoin. A central-bank digital currency (CBDC) is a digital fiat currency which, in the same way, would provide a stable value for cross-border payments.

The Sand Dollar brought financial services to unbanked and under-banked communities, but faced regulatory problems. Improved legislative clarity for issuers of stablecoins, addressing stablecoin’s cybersecurity and criminal threats, could do the same on a global scale.

What’s in the GENIUS Act?

The GENIUS Act is intended to establish clear legislative guidelines for institutions looking to issue stablecoins. Regulatory concerns made banks and fintech firms cautious in the past, but the bill could make the adoption of stablecoins much easier and less risky.

The bill is bipartisan but led by Republicans, so the regulations would provide guidelines without a lot of federal oversight. In fact, the latest draft of the bill would see regulatory decisions being shifted to a state level for issuers under $10 billion. The goal is to provide regulations for issuers entering the market without sacrificing a financial environment that fosters innovation.

If a stablecoin doesn’t have enough in assets to back a transaction, the coin could lose its peg. So, the bill would also ensure that issuers of stablecoins meet certain reserve requirements. To ensure a 1:1 backing of the stablecoin, issuers will be required to maintain enough assets in reserve to collateralize customer transactions. The assets in the reserve must be the same assets that are backing the coin.

Additionally, the updated bill introduces anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism regulations, further destigmatizing stablecoins in mainstream finance. This would be significant as illegal misuse is one of the most common complaints launched against stablecoins, and cryptocurrencies in general.

The bottom line is that the bill aims to encourage the merging of traditional banking and fintech with stablecoins. But it aims to do so by ensuring that any new issuer has the financial and technological capacity to do so.

Criticism of the GENIUS Act

The bill is not without its critics. Elizabeth Warren, for one. Warren argues that the bill does not comprehensively cover the illicit behaviour made possible by stablecoins. For example, though the bill addresses money laundering and terrorism, Warren argues the technology can be used to evade financial sanctions. Additionally, she is unconvinced by the bill’s protection of consumer funds, which has been a problem for stablecoin issuers in the past.

Stablecoin excitement may obscure such threats. On the one hand, any new regulation will be progress towards a better payment system. But it could be more damaging in the long run to rush a bill into law that does not fully address its potential dangers.

Fintechs, Banks, and the Stablecoin ‘Gold Rush’

Banks and Fintechs are rushing to join the “Stablecoin Gold Rush.” Bank of America recently pledged to launch its own stablecoin if better legislation passes. Last month, Stripe acquired stablecoin company Bridge for $1.1 billion and added stablecoins as a method of payment. And Standard Chartered last month announced it would be launching a Hong-Kong