US House Passes GENIUS Act, Potentially Reshaping Circle USD Stablecoin Regulation by 2026

Key Points

1. The GENIUS Act mandates that stablecoin issuers maintain 100% reserves backing their tokens and explicitly prohibits unbacked algorithmic stablecoins.

2. The Act is expected to take effect in 2026 after President Trump's anticipated signature, allowing regulatory agencies like the Federal Reserve and OCC to prepare for implementation.

3. The law aims to establish clear legal parameters for stablecoins, fostering innovation within a secure framework while addressing systemic risks.

4. Industry reactions suggest the GENIUS Act is seen as a critical step toward regulatory clarity for stablecoins, though challenges remain in balancing innovation and compliance.

5. The passage of the GENIUS Act marks a historic milestone in US crypto regulation, emphasizing full reserve backing and rigorous oversight.