TLDR
- The U.S. House advanced the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts after an extensive voting session.
- The CLARITY Act aims to provide clear regulatory standards for the cryptocurrency market.
- The GENIUS Act focuses on regulating stablecoins and providing consumer protection.
- The House debated the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, linking it to the NDAA.
- The Anti-CBDC bill aims to prevent government control over digital currency and protect privacy.
The U.S. House of Representatives has taken a significant step in cryptocurrency regulation by advancing the CLARITY Act and the GENIUS Act. These two measures, part of a broader push for digital currency reform, were subjected to intense debate and the longest vote in House history. The CLARITY Act aims to establish federal guardrails on cryptocurrency, while the GENIUS Act focuses on regulating stablecoins. Both bills now await final approval after a marathon voting session marked by partisan division and last-minute negotiations.
CLARITY Act Faces Intense Debate and Delayed Vote
The Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, or CLARITY Act, is designed to provide clear regulatory standards for the cryptocurrency market. Supporters argue that the bill will create a framework for the growing industry, offering clarity and stability to both businesses and investors. The bill is expected to receive bipartisan backing, but not without hurdles. Privacy concerns over potential government overreach into digital assets have led to tense discussions between lawmakers.
Despite these challenges, the House managed to push the CLARITY Act forward. Proponents have emphasized that the bill could provide much-needed certainty for the digital asset sector. Some conservatives, however, voiced concerns that without additional protections, such as the anti-CBDC bill, the CLARITY Act might enable unwanted surveillance into citizens’ financial activities.
GENIUS Act Moves Forward with Stablecoin Regulations
The Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act, known as the GENIUS Act, has already passed the Senate. This legislation aims to regulate stablecoins and set clear standards for their use within the U.S. financial system. Stablecoins are digital currencies pegged to a reserve asset, typically the U.S. dollar, and have seen increasing adoption in recent years.
The House adopted H. Res. 580 by a vote of 217-212. https://t.co/pxHokNMdJx
— House Press Gallery (@HouseDailyPress) July 17, 2025
The GENIUS Act seeks to protect consumers by ensuring transparency and reducing risks associated with stablecoins. It aims to prevent fraud and establish a stable environment for these digital currencies to thrive. While the bill has already gained traction in the Senate, its passage in the House now hinges on further negotiations and debates over its provisions.
Anti-CBDC Bill Tied to NDAA for Final Approval
One of the most contentious points of the vote was the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, which conservatives pushed to include in the same package. The bill aims to prevent the federal government from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC), fearing it could lead to mass surveillance of private citizens. Privacy advocates in the House argued that the absence of the Anti-CBDC measure would render the other two bills incomplete.
After hours of closed-door negotiations, House leaders reached an agreement. The Anti-CBDC bill will now be attached to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a must-pass piece of legislation. This compromise ensured that the House could proceed with individual votes on the GENIUS and CLARITY Acts while securing the anti-surveillance protections.
