Senate Passes GENIUS Act in Landmark Vote as Stablecoin Rules Finally Land

The US Senate has passed the GENIUS Act, a first-of-its-kind crypto legislation targeting the booming stablecoin market. With 68 votes in favor and just two opposed, the bill signals a clear political shift toward regulating digital money.

It’s a watershed moment for crypto—and for Washington. The stablecoin sector, which now holds over $250 billion, finally has official rules. And traders? They’re already eyeing Ripple, Stellar, and Bitcoin Pepe.

What the GENIUS Act Actually Does

The name might sound like a Silicon Valley pitch, but the GENIUS Act stands for Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins. It’s dry on the surface. But the implications? Huge.

At its core, the bill lays down guardrails for stablecoins—those digital tokens pegged to assets like the US dollar. If you’re holding or issuing one, you’d better have real money behind it now.

The key requirement: every stablecoin must be backed 1:1 by either US dollars, short-term Treasuries, or equivalent cash-like instruments. No more funny business with shaky reserves. Lawmakers have clearly had enough of half-backed promises.

There’s also a new emphasis on compliance. Think:

• Anti-money laundering (AML) checks

• Rigorous record-keeping requirements

• Mandatory registration for issuers

One sentence, but a big deal: Big Tech can’t mint its own money anymore. Google, Walmart, and other giants without financial licenses are barred from issuing stablecoins. That’s not just red tape—it’s a message.

Why This Changes the Game for Crypto

There’s been a long-standing tension between crypto and Capitol Hill. The GENIUS Act, for all its restrictions, is finally a sign that lawmakers are getting serious about giving the industry a rulebook.

And it’s not just symbolic. Analysts are already forecasting that stablecoins could swell into the trillions within the next decade. That kind of growth? It needs structure.

Liat Shetret from Elliptic put it bluntly in an emailed statement: “Stablecoins are actively becoming a foundational component of the global financial system.” The Senate, it seems, finally agrees.

Even skeptics admit this could actually help crypto grow up. Regulation doesn’t always mean crackdown—it can mean legitimacy. And that’s exactly what the GENIUS Act offers.

The Crypto Market Reacts: Ripple, Stellar, and BPEP in Focus

So what’s next? Investors are already shifting their focus to coins that stand to benefit the most. Three are being talked about more than most: Ripple (XRP), Stellar (XLM), and Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP). Let’s break that down.

Ripple first.

Ripple Labs launched its RLUSD stablecoin in late 2024. It’s pegged 1:1 to the dollar, already boasts over $400 million in assets, and—crucially—looks ready to comply with the GENIUS Act without breaking a sweat.

Some in the market are whispering: what if Tether doesn’t comply? If that happens, RLUSD becomes the default alternative. And Ripple wins big.

But that’s not the only reason XRP is heating up. Speculation is bubbling around a possible XRP ETF, and if the SEC approves it, expect institutional money to pour in fast.

One quick note here: XRP already has the banking relationships and infrastructure that many newer projects lack. That gives it a major edge.

Stellar’s Quiet Strength: Riding the USDC Wave

XLM, Stellar’s token, might be less flashy than XRP—but don’t sleep on it.

Stellar doesn’t have its own stablecoin. But its operations are tightly linked with USD Coin (USDC), the second-biggest stablecoin in the market. Stellar holds millions of dollars worth of USDC and plays a vital role in helping it move across borders.

More interestingly, it has a partnership with MoneyGram—yes, the old-school remittance company. Together, they’re enabling people in multiple countries to send and receive stablecoins. That’s real-world utility, not just hype.

It’s also worth mentioning that while no Stellar ETF is in the pipeline yet, an XRP ETF approval might open the door for more.

This could turn Stellar into an ETF dark horse.

Bitcoin Pepe (BPEP): The Meme Coin With a Plan

You wouldn’t normally expect a meme coin to make a post-legislation watchlist. But Bitcoin Pepe isn’t your typical meme token.

Launched with a twist, BPEP isn’t just about frogs and jokes—it’s building a layer-2 network on Bitcoin to help users create their own meme coins. Sounds crazy? Maybe. But it’s caught fire.

Data shows BPEP is nearing the $15 million fundraising mark, with listings already confirmed on Uniswap and BitMart. That momentum alone is making traders take a second look.

Here’s why BPEP is on some watchlists:

• It’s offering early buyers a 30% bonus, which is rare.

• It’s gunning for mass listings.

• Its developers seem unusually organized—for a meme project.

There’s no denying it’s speculative. But speculative doesn’t mean it’s being ignored.

What Comes Next for Stablecoins?

With the Senate onboard, the GENIUS Act now heads to the House. If it clears there—and all signs point to yes—it’ll land on the president’s desk.

That could happen within weeks.

Here’s what to expect if it passes:

One thing is clear: crypto is moving into its regulatory phase. That won’t kill it. It might just help it grow up.