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Why the genius act on stablecoins could backfire

Concerns Rise Over the GENIUS Act’s Impact on Stablecoins | A Potential Setback for Crypto Innovation

By

Samuel Okafor

Jun 25, 2025, 04:37 PM

Edited By

Tomoko Sato

Updated

Jun 25, 2025, 10:34 PM

2 minutes estimated to read

A visual representation of stablecoins with a backdrop of regulatory documents symbolizing the GENIUS Act's impact on the crypto market.

A growing coalition of people is pushing back against the recent passage of the Stablecoin GENIUS Act, voicing strong concerns about its potential to stifle innovation in the crypto space. Critics highlight that with increased regulation, the vibrant creativity in the cryptocurrency market may be significantly hampered.

Strong Reactions from the Community

The proposed GENIUS Act has sparked debates among many in the crypto sector.

"Every crypto coin should be terrified by any kind of regulation that isn’t something like β€˜do whatever we don’t care,’" one user stated emphatically. This reflects the growing fear of government oversight which many believe could hinder growth.

New comments reveal concerns that Tether, a major player in the stablecoin landscape, will be affected by the legislation. Users noted that it may require Tether to maintain safe reserve assets, like short-term Treasury bills, while publishing regular financial disclosures. "Tether's house of cards may finally be revealed," one commented.

Furthermore, it's been hinted that Tether's CEO plans to launch a separate stablecoin, raising eyebrows about the current USDT scheme's legitimacy. Questions mount on compliance and the true stability of Tether amid these regulatory changes.

Implications for Stablecoin Operations

Interestingly, the act has broader implications beyond Tether. The GENIUS Act aims to clarify stablecoins as payment methods rather than securities, which could encourage banks to engage with stablecoins. This shift in regulatory perspective could bring stablecoins into the mainstream financial system.

"The GENIUS Act is an important step, but it’s just one of many actions the crypto industry is taking to launch an uncontrolled experiment in unleashing crypto on the economy," remarked Mark Hays from Americans for Financial Reform.

Supporters such as Jeremy Allaire of Circle view this legislation as a historical milestone, claiming it could propel the U.S. economy for years. On the other hand, dissenters worry that the crypto lobby's influence led to rushed legislation without thorough vetting, hinting at potential pitfalls.

Community Sentiments on Regulation

  1. Uncertainty About Tether: Recent comments express skepticism about Tether's ability to comply with new regulations.

  2. Fear of Overregulation: Many predict that tighter controls may drive innovation underground.

  3. Concerns Over Lobbying Power: People are wary of the ramifications of the crypto lobby's influence on legislative decisions.

Key Insights

  • ⚠️ Increased compliance requirements may expose vulnerabilities in Tether and similar entities.

  • πŸ” There’s a growing sentiment that regulators are not fully grasping the impact of their decisions.

  • πŸ’¬ "This sets a dangerous precedent for future regulations," noted another top commenter.

As this debate unfolds, the future of the GENIUS Act and its repercussions on the crypto sector remains uncertain. With the crypto community's ongoing resistance, will lawmakers adapt to preserve innovation, or will overregulation drive talent and projects away from the mainstream? Only time will tell.