Senate Faces Challenges in Advancing Revised Stablecoin Legislation

According to Odaily, the U.S. Senate encountered obstacles on Thursday in advancing the newly revised GENIUS stablecoin bill to formal debate, as some senators claimed they had not seen the text before voting. On Friday, media outlets obtained the latest version, revealing significant amendments. The most notable change is that foreign issuers like Tether, regardless of their registration location, will fall under U.S. jurisdiction if they serve American users. The revised GENIUS Act introduces several core changes. Firstly, it restructures jurisdiction by adding an 'extraterritorial application' clause, requiring foreign issuers targeting U.S. users to comply with regulations. This move aims to end the regulatory ambiguity surrounding Tether, highlighting the bill's focus on the company, which is reportedly the seventh-largest holder of U.S. Treasury bonds. Additionally, the bill allows for an expanded range of reserve asset types. Secondly, the definition of service providers is broadened to include developers, validation nodes, and self-custody wallets as 'digital asset service providers.' This expansion raises new debates on whether DeFi protocols must adhere to the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering regulations. It also stipulates accountability for using unauthorized stablecoins, such as decentralized stablecoins. Thirdly, the bill includes a safe harbor provision, granting the Treasury Secretary the authority to offer regulatory flexibility for small or experimental projects, while permitting unilateral action in 'emergency situations,' a move criticized for granting excessive administrative power. Currently, the bill has only garnered support from the Republican Party, and without Democratic backing, its passage remains uncertain. Industry experts anticipate that the Senate may initiate another motion for debate before the end of the month.