A Historic Moment for the Crypto Landscape and the Future of Money

This legislation is likely to reshape the crypto landscape in the U.S., providing clearer guardrails for stablecoins, digital assets, and the government’s responsibilities and role in digital currencies. It is not just a regulatory milestone — it’s a call to action for leadership across finance, technology and policy. Organizations will need visionary leaders who can navigate this evolving landscape, build trust in digital assets, and drive innovation within a newly regulated framework. 

The impact of the GENIUS Act (likely to be followed by the Digital Market Access Clarity Act, and the CBDC Anti-Surveillance Act) which together create a more coherent regulatory framework for digital assets and stablecoins, will be felt widely, from consumers to regulators to global aid groups.

What will the impact be?

With the GENIUS Act now signed into law, its influence will be far-reaching and will impact:

Consumers

Consumers will see more regulated, safer options for using stablecoins in payments and savings, reducing the risks of fraud or collapse. Privacy advocates will score a win with the Anti-Surveillance Act, which blocks a retail Federal Reserve CBDC that could track individual transactions. This combination of oversight and limits on government digital money could boost consumer confidence in using private crypto solutions. 

Corporations

Corporations, especially fintech and crypto-native firms, gain long-sought clarity on how digital assets will be treated under U.S. law. The Digital Market Access Clarity Act establishes more predictable paths for asset classification, reducing SEC enforcement risk and enabling greater innovation. Traditional finance players also now have an opportunity to integrate stablecoins into their services under these clear rules. The need for cross-functional leadership is growing and boards will seek talent with regulatory foresight and crypto fluency. 

Central Monetary Authorities

The Federal Reserve maintains oversight over dollar-backed stablecoins, giving it tools to monitor financial stability risks. However, the Anti-Surveillance Act blocks any future move toward a retail CBDC, effectively halting the Fed’s ambitions to issue a digital dollar for consumers. This signals a policy preference for private sector innovation over government-backed digital currencies.

Payment Networks (Visa, Mastercard)

These firms will benefit from stablecoin adoption being legitimized under clear rules, opening new partnership opportunities with issuers. But the long-term threat is real: stablecoins could one day bypass traditional card networks entirely for certain transactions. These traditional players have therefore begun to build stablecoin capabilities to stay relevant.

Regulators (Fed, SEC, CFTC)

The legislation clarifies and strengthens the roles of these agencies. The Fed oversees stablecoin reserves, while the SEC and CFTC gain sharper boundaries for their respective roles over digital assets and commodities. This reduces jurisdictional overlap and moves the U.S. from “enforcement-by-lawsuit” to proactive rulemaking.

Humanitarian Causes

Clearer regulations may make it easier for NGOs to use stablecoins for faster, cheaper cross-border aid, especially in regions where banking systems are weak. Stronger rules also protect against fraud and asset instability, making crypto a more trusted tool for aid delivery. The CBDC ban simplifies the environment by keeping government-issued digital currencies out of the equation for now.

This legislative package positions the U.S. as a more stable and predictable environment for crypto innovation — but firmly on the side of private sector-led solutions, not government-controlled digital dollars.

Odgers’ Role: Building leadership for a regulated future within the Digital Economy

As one of the world’s largest executive search firms with many years of experience in corporate affairs, policy and financial services sectors, Odgers is uniquely positioned to help organizations identify and develop the next generation of digital economy leaders. 

We specialize in finding talent at the intersection of regulation, innovation and finance — leaders who can navigate complexity, drive compliance, and unlock growth in a rapidly evolving crypto landscape.