SEC Chairman Paul Atkins on Monday said the coming week could be pivotal for crypto regulation as Congress advances long-awaited legislation to clarify U.S. crypto market structure.
What Happened: In a Fox Business interview, Atkins said lawmakers are moving closer to passing bipartisan market structure legislation aimed at defining regulatory authority between the SEC and the CFTC.
The bill would reduce regulatory uncertainty, protect investors, and provide clearer rules for the crypto industry.
Atkins framed the legislation as critical to preventing regulatory overreach, supporting innovation, and advancing President Donald Trump‘s goal of positioning the U.S. as the global hub for crypto and digital assets.
Atkins expects Trump to sign the bill this year and noted he is prepared to work closely with the CFTC and other agencies to implement the new framework.
He also pointed to the recently passed GENIUS Act, which formally recognized crypto assets and provided clarity around stablecoins, as an important step toward broader regulatory certainty.
Why It Matters: In a comment shared with Benzinga, Coin Bureau co-founder Nic Puckrin said the Senate’s compromise on stablecoin yield signals lawmakers want to keep stablecoins attractive to users while easing pressure from banks, underscoring their growing systemic importance as the U.S. dollar weakens.
With the dollar down nearly 10% year over year and expected to face further pressure, stablecoins are increasingly viewed as a strategic tool to reinforce dollar dominance amid macroeconomic and geopolitical stress, according to Puckrin.
He added that stablecoins will continue to compete with bank deposits, forcing banks to adapt rather than block innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through better incentives.
However, Puckrin cautioned that last-minute amendments and a tight legislative calendar make it unlikely the bill passes this month. Further delays, he warned, could continue to weigh on an already sluggish crypto market.
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