- GENIUS Act, the first major U.S. crypto law, will be signed by President Trump Friday; it regulates the stablecoin market and passed with bipartisan support.
- Congress also passed deep cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting, a long-time GOP goal now realized.
- Trump reignites the Epstein case, directing the DOJ to seek court approval to unseal grand jury transcripts, adding drama to an already packed legislative week.
In a historic move for the crypto world, President Trump is slated to sign the GENIUS Act this Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET, marking the first major U.S. legislation to regulate cryptocurrencies—specifically the $250 billion stablecoin market. The bill, which passed the House on Thursday with a bipartisan vote of 206 Republicans and 102 Democrats, introduces long-awaited clarity for digital assets pegged to traditional currencies like the dollar.
Earlier this week, the bill faced uncertainty as a group of conservative Republicans held up a key procedural vote. However, a behind-the-scenes compromise allowed the bill to proceed to final passage.
Alongside the GENIUS Act, Congress also passed two other bills as part of what lawmakers have dubbed “Crypto Week”:
- The Clarity Act, aimed at regulating digital commodities beyond just stablecoins.
- The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, which blocks the Federal Reserve from launching a retail central bank digital currency directly to U.S. citizens.
These bills collectively signal a new, more structured approach to crypto regulation in the U.S., one that could bolster investor confidence and institutional adoption heading into 2026.
GOP Also Pushes Through Foreign Aid and Broadcasting Cuts
The GENIUS Act wasn’t the only win for Republicans this week. In a late-night vote, the House approved a $9 billion rescissions package, fulfilling a presidential request to roll back funds earmarked for foreign aid and public broadcasting. The bill passed mostly along party lines, with only two Republicans joining Democrats in opposition.
This package will slash roughly:
- $8 billion from foreign assistance programs run by agencies like USAID.
- $1 billion from NPR and PBS funding.
On Truth Social, Trump celebrated the victory, writing:
“REPUBLICANS HAVE TRIED DOING THIS FOR 40 YEARS, AND FAILED….BUT NO MORE. THIS IS BIG!!!”
Epstein Case Resurfaces Ahead of Crypto Bill Signing
Friday’s signing of the GENIUS Act comes amid renewed attention on the Jeffrey Epstein case. On Thursday evening, Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue court approval to unseal grand jury material related to Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019. This move follows mounting pressure to release more evidence, after the DOJ signaled it was done reviewing the case.
Bondi said her team would file with the court immediately, though the timeline for any documents to go public remains uncertain.
“This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!” Trump posted.
With crypto legislation, federal funding cuts, and Epstein developments all unfolding at once, Friday’s White House ceremony is expected to draw intense attention from both financial markets and political watchers.
