This week in crypto, the passing of the GENIUS Act ignited fresh debate across the industry, raising questions around stablecoin oversight, central bank influence and the path forward for tokenised finance. Political tensions also emerged at the US Federal Reserve, fuelling speculation about a shift toward looser monetary policy. What was once seen as purely speculative is now edging into the mainstream, with memecoins gaining credibility through institutional activity.

Following last week’s passage of the GENIUS Act, the crypto industry is now unpacking what the landmark stablecoin legislation will mean in practice. The bill’s clear boundaries, allowing banks to issue regulated stablecoins while excluding big tech, mark a shift toward government-endorsed digital dollars over Silicon Valley-led alternatives. Supporters say it offers a structured path forward for real-world asset tokenisation and deeper integration between DeFi and traditional finance. Projects like Ondo Finance are already aligning with the framework, and Anchorage Digital’s partnership with Ethena Labs signals that institutional infrastructure is quickly adapting to the new rules.

However, critics warn of unintended consequences. US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene described the legislation as a “CBDC Trojan Horse,” arguing it opens the door to government surveillance under the guise of private token issuance. Privacy advocates and decentralised developers are now watching closely, with some beginning to explore alternative models that maintain user autonomy while navigating this new regulatory landscape.

Meanwhile, US macro policy took centre stage with President Donald Trump’s high-profile visit to the Federal Reserve, where he reportedly confronted Chair Jerome Powell over delayed rate cuts and criticised the central bank’s extravagant renovation plans. The visit, highly unusual for a sitting president, reignited market expectations of political pressure leading to a more accommodative Fed stance.

Powell noted that tariff-driven inflation remains a primary reason the Fed has not moved sooner, an implicit pushback against the administration’s own policies. For crypto, this tension could translate into looser monetary conditions, which historically precede bullish cycles for Bitcoin and other digital assets. As always, liquidity drives risk appetite, and traders are closely watching upcoming Fed commentary for further cues.

In Australia, a major legal win for Finder.com marked a positive moment for the local fintech and crypto scene. After nearly three years in court, the Federal Court ruled that Finder Earn, a yield-generating product, was not a financial product under Australian law. The decision sends a strong signal that crypto-native innovations can coexist within regulatory boundaries, provided they are carefully structured. For platforms exploring yield services, the ruling sets an important precedent and may revive interest in compliant product offerings.

Rounding out the week, Dogecoin saw renewed relevance as China-based mining firm Bit Origin added 40.5 million DOGE to its corporate treasury. CEO Lucas Jiang described the move as a bet on Dogecoin’s future in micropayments, noting its growing developer ecosystem and “inflection point” potential. While the token remains highly concentrated — over 81 percent of supply sits with just 908 wallets — the fact that Robinhood and Binance are among the largest holders underscores its continued relevance in retail and institutional circles alike.

In summary, the GENIUS Act is no longer just a regulatory milestone, it is a litmus test for how crypto will integrate with traditional finance under federal oversight. Its rollout will shape everything from tokenisation and payments to privacy and platform access. Combined with potential Fed easing and shifting attitudes toward memecoins, the crypto industry is entering a phase where policy, infrastructure and strategy are more deeply intertwined than ever.

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• Justin Sun secures $28M seat for a future space launch

• Pump.fun whales offload over $160M in tokens