US GENIUS Act Risks Dollar Privatization, Faces Criticism

Senator Bill Hagerty introduced the GENIUS Act, a stablecoin regulation bill, advancing out of committee in the US, eliciting legislative discussion over potential impacts on the dollar.

The GENIUS Act’s potential role in privatizing the dollar could threaten traditional banking, influencing innovation yet risking economic disruptions, sparking diverse political and market reactions.

Stablecoins Under Scrutiny with GENIUS Act Introduction

The GENIUS Act proposes regulations for stablecoins — digital currencies pegged to the US dollar. Its sponsors aim to introduce clarity and stability into the digital currency sector.

Spearheaded by Senator Bill Hagerty, the bill has advanced out of committee. Concerns emerge over its implications, including possible privatization risks for the US dollar.

Banking Sector Fears Stablecoin Impact on Operations

The latest price data indicates that Bitcoin is currently trading at $30,000, experiencing a fluctuation between $28,500 and $31,500. Analysts suggest that this trend aligns with previous market movements, reinforcing historical price patterns.

Experts express concerns over potential bank disintermediation, citing the American Bankers Association’s statement on stablecoins posing risks to traditional banking operations, such as deposit-taking and lending.

Payment stablecoin has the potential to significantly disintermediate core commercial bank activity like deposit taking and lending. This concept is not a mere competitive concern; rather it poses significant risk to the fundamental role banks play in credit intermediation. – American Bankers Association

Past Regulation Challenges Haunt GENIUS Act Progress

Previous stablecoin regulation efforts struggled to advance, with none achieving widespread private issuance approval. The bill echoes those past regulatory challenges without a comparable precedent.

Experts, like Hilary Allen of American University, warn of large tech firms possibly outcompeting banks, suggesting that similar concerns might resurface as the digital financial landscape evolves.