Womble Perspectives
Welcome to Womble Perspectives, where we explore a wide range of topics from the latest legal updates to industry trends to the business of law. Our team of lawyers, professionals and occasional outside guests will take you through the most pressing issues facing businesses today and provide practical and actionable advice to help you navigate the ever-changing legal landscape. With a focus on innovation, collaboration and client service, we are committed to delivering exceptional value to our clients and to the communities we serve.
Womble Perspectives
Bringing GENIUS & CLARITY to the Future of Stablecoins and Crypto Markets
We’re diving into a major moment in U.S. financial regulation—one that could redefine how businesses engage with digital assets.
In July 2025, Congress took a major step toward regulating cryptocurrencies and stablecoins with two landmark bills: the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act. These measures aim to bring order to a rapidly growing and often chaotic market, offering long-awaited clarity for investors, institutions, and innovators alike.
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Welcome to Womble Perspectives, where we explore a wide range of topics, from the latest legal updates to industry trends to the business of law. Our team of lawyers, professionals and occasional outside guests will take you through the most pressing issues facing businesses today and provide practical and actionable advice to help you navigate the ever changing legal landscape.
With a focus on innovation, collaboration and client service. We are committed to delivering exceptional value to our clients and to the communities we serve. And now our latest episode.
Welcome back to Womble Perspectives. Today, we’re diving into a major moment in U.S. financial regulation—one that could redefine how businesses engage with digital assets.
In July 2025, Congress took a major step toward regulating cryptocurrencies and stablecoins with two landmark bills: the GENIUS Act and the CLARITY Act. These measures aim to bring order to a rapidly growing and often chaotic market, offering long-awaited clarity for investors, institutions, and innovators alike.
Let’s start with the GENIUS Act, signed into law by President Trump on July 18. This bill establishes the first federal framework for payment stablecoins—a $250 billion industry. It requires issuers to maintain 100% reserve backing in U.S. dollars or short-term government assets, submit monthly disclosures, and comply with anti-money laundering and know-your-customer rules. Importantly, it designates stablecoin issuers as financial institutions under the Bank Secrecy Act, meaning they must implement robust anti-money laundering programs and internal controls.
Next up, the CLARITY Act, which passed the House and is awaiting Senate review. This bill tackles digital asset market structure, clarifying that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission—or CFTC—will oversee most digital assets, while the Securities and Exchange Commission retains anti-fraud and manipulation authority. It also introduces a pathway for tokens to transition from securities to commodities as their blockchains mature.
Together, these acts mark a turning point. For the first time, financial institutions, fintechs, and even traditional businesses have a clearer roadmap for engaging with crypto. Stablecoins could soon be used for payroll, cross-border payments, and treasury management. E-commerce platforms, remittance providers, and retailers may benefit from faster settlement and lower transaction costs.
But with opportunity comes responsibility. These new laws introduce complex compliance requirements—registration, reporting, anti-money laundering, and know-your-consumer checks. Businesses must assess their exposure, build strong compliance frameworks, and stay ahead of enforcement trends.
Recent headlines remind us why this matters. The arrest of Supreme Court attorney Tom Goldstein and a $225 million crypto seizure by the DOJ highlight the risks when financial innovation outpaces regulation.
So, what should businesses do now? Start by asking tough questions. Are your partners compliant? Are your internal controls strong enough? And are you ready to adapt as the rules evolve?
The GENIUS and CLARITY Acts aren’t just about crypto, they’re looking toward the future of finance. And for businesses willing to engage responsibly, the door to innovation is wide open.
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