The U.S. Senate voted Thursday towards advancing the GENIUS Act, a key invoice that may regulate stablecoins, marking a setback for the crypto trade’s push for regulatory readability.
The procedural cloture vote failed 48-49, falling in need of the 60 votes wanted to start formal debate.
Regardless of months of bipartisan negotiations and a earlier win within the Senate Banking Committee, late opposition from Senate Democrats derailed momentum.
Lawmakers cited issues over inadequate safeguards towards illicit finance and international stablecoin issuers, whereas a number of Democrats pointed to President Donald Trump’s crypto affiliations — together with his memecoin and fundraising dinners — as complicating the method.
Senators Josh Hawley and Rand Paul broke from their social gathering to vote towards advancing the laws. Senate Majority Chief John Thune flipped his vote on the final minute, a procedural tactic to permit for reconsideration.
Sen. Ruben Gallego, who beforehand supported the invoice and acquired $10 million from pro-crypto PACs in 2024, urged a pause to revise the laws.
The laws just isn’t useless — but
Regardless of the deadlock, some lawmakers stay optimistic. Sen. Mark Warner famous the invoice “isn’t but completed” and nonetheless requires key protections for Individuals. In the meantime, Republicans like Sen. Cynthia Lummis warned that delaying progress may stifle U.S. crypto innovation.
Sen. Invoice Hagerty, the invoice’s sponsor, has stated the vote amounted to “killing the crypto trade right here in America.”
The talk might resume subsequent week, pending additional negotiation.