- Mastercard says US stablecoin law marks a shift toward institutional use.
- Tech and finance giants are preparing to launch stablecoin products.
Mastercard says the US has reached a “turning point” in stablecoin regulation and digital asset adoption — a moment it’s been preparing for over the past few years.
The company’s head of global policy, Jesse McWaters, cited the passage of the Genius Act as a catalyst for institutional involvement, pointing to a “new era of regulatory clarity and confidence in digital assets.”
Signed into law by President Donald Trump on Friday, the Genius Act allows regulated entities, including banks and corporations, to issue dollar-backed stablecoins if they meet strict reserve, disclosure, and compliance requirements.
It is the first crypto-specific legislation to become law in the United States.
McWaters said Mastercard has spent years building toward this moment, and emphasised the importance of integrating stablecoins into systems people trust if meaningful adoption is to follow.
The law has already prompted movement from major players. Executives at JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Bank of America have signalled plans to enter the stablecoin space.
Meanwhile, tech firms like Amazon and Apple are reportedly exploring stablecoin integration into their platforms.
Representatives from Circle, Coinbase, Gemini, and Tether attended the bill’s signing at the White House.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the new law gives the sector “a clear regulatory foundation.”
Still, the bill remains divisive. Critics have warned it could encourage regulatory arbitrage and give traditional banks an unfair edge over decentralised stablecoin issuers.
Others, including Democratic lawmakers, say the law doesn’t go far enough to address consumer protection or financial crime risks.
Kyle Baird is DL News’ Weekend Editor. Got a tip? Email at kbaird@dlnews.com.
