U.S. stablecoin regulation bill

Key Points:* U.S. Senate vote on stablecoin bill highlights political division.

• Vote count: 48 against and 49 in favor.
• Impacts the future landscape of U.S. cryptocurrency regulation. U.S. Senate dismisses the GENIUS Act’s regulatory framework for stablecoins with a narrow vote margin of 48 against and 49 in favor. The decision reflects deep partisan divisions within the legislative branch.

The rejection of the GENIUS Act underscores existing tensions over cryptocurrency regulation, potentially stalling efforts to establish a federal framework for stablecoins. Political opposition centered around concerns of the Trump family’s business ties to cryptocurrencies.

Senate Narrowly Rejects Stablecoin GENIUS Act, 48-49

On May 8, 2025, the U.S. Senate declined the GENIUS Act, a milestone bill proposing the first federal regulatory structure for stablecoins. Democrats unanimously opposed it, citing unresolved concerns regarding government officials’ crypto asset holdings. Republicans vowed continued efforts, claiming Democrats obstructed potential cooperation.

This decision stalls stablecoin regulatory progress, maintaining the current regulatory patchwork across states and federal agencies, and leaving the $246 billion stablecoin market without a clear federal directive. Republicans pledged to revisit the proposal by amending unclear stipulations and addressing Democratic concerns.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune publicly criticized the Democrats, suggesting potential motivations to stall the bill. Since the disruption, various voices within the crypto industry have expressed dismay, emphasizing the increased uncertainty this poses for market participants seeking regulatory clarity.

Ongoing Political Fallout and Industry Concerns

Did you know? The rejection of such pivotal legislation is reminiscent of previous efforts, stalled by similar partisan conflicts, reflecting the persistent complexity in achieving crypto consensus in the U.S.

According to CoinMarketCap, Tether USDt (USDT) maintains its $1.00 price with a market cap of $149.72 billion and dominance at 4.66%. Recent trading volumes hit $113.67 billion, showing a significant 92.97% change. Over the past 90 days, its price decreased by 0.03%.

Tether USDt(USDT), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 02:50 UTC on May 9, 2025. Source: CoinMarketCap Analysts from Coincu indicate that the failure to pass a unified regulatory approach could delay the integration of stablecoins into conventional finance. This hesitation might drive innovation underground or overseas if the U.S. fails to establish a coherent legal framework soon, potentially affecting global market dynamics.