The curtains have fallen on what has been dubbed “Crypto Week,” leaving in its wake a landmark legislative achievement: the passage of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act. While this new federal framework for stablecoins marks a significant stride in digital asset regulation, industry leaders are quick to emphasize that this is merely the groundwork for the crypto economy’s full integration into everyday finance and identity systems.
“Clarity is just a starting point, not an endpoint,” stated Leo Fan, co-founder of Cysic, in an exclusive interview. He underscored the critical need for continued development in areas such as scalable blockchain technologies, instant verification mechanisms, and secure custody solutions to truly embed crypto within the global financial fabric.
Fan lauded the GENIUS Act for providing crucial “legal clarity” by officially distinguishing many crypto assets from traditional securities. He described this as a “foundational shift,” offering a “green light” for innovators, investors, and established institutions to build with greater confidence under clear legal parameters. For Fan, this legislative step signals crypto’s recognition as a fundamental infrastructure, setting the stage for its real-world application in finance, identity management, and privacy protocols.
DeFi’s Unstoppable Momentum
Altan Tutar, CEO and co-founder of MoreMarkets, sees the GENIUS Act as “the best sign yet that DeFi is here to stay.” He noted that this legislative move positions the U.S. to close the gap with Asia in the broader adoption of crypto. Tutar anticipates that the new law will spur “meaningful” stablecoin adoption, paving the way for the tokenization of conventional assets like gold or oil, thus expanding DeFi’s reach into new territories.
However, Tutar cautioned that while regulatory clarity significantly benefits large institutions, the industry must also prioritize creating accessible payment systems, user-friendly applications, and straightforward earning opportunities for everyday investors. This, he argues, is crucial to prevent crypto from experiencing its own version of a “dot-com bubble” where only early adopters thrive.
Echoing this sentiment, Ryan Chow, CEO of Solv Protocol, highlighted that Crypto Week has “laid the legal foundation for digital assets,” finally bringing an end to years of regulatory uncertainty that had stifled institutional engagement. Chow hailed the GENIUS Act’s definitive distinction between decentralized digital assets and traditional securities as “monumental,” empowering builders and investors with renewed confidence. Looking ahead, Chow asserted that while “clarity is necessary, credibility is what builds markets,” advocating for the development of innovative financial instruments like Bitcoin-backed credit, tokenized treasuries, and real-asset-backed yield products, all built with inherent transparency and compliance.
Beyond Regulation: Building for Everyone
Will K, CEO of VOOI and co-founder of Symbiosis.Finance, also weighed in, stressing that regulation alone is insufficient for mass adoption. He pointed to the imperative for more mature infrastructure, simplified user experiences, and the integration of AI-driven tools to democratize access to crypto. Without these advancements, Will warned, crypto risks remaining a niche ecosystem rather than evolving into a global financial standard. His message is clear: “The industry needs to stop building for crypto natives and start building for everyone else.”
The GENIUS Act, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support last week, including votes from over 100 Democrats, is truly a turning point. While it establishes the first federal framework for stablecoins, experts agree that it represents not the finish line, but the starting pistol in the race toward widespread digital asset integration.
