Crypto Week 2025: New Laws, New Era
With the declaration of “Crypto Week” in the US between July 14-18, both legislative bodies and financial regulatory bodies announced important decisions that directly affect the cryptocurrency ecosystem. The three bills adopted by the House of Representatives are considered as the beginning of a new era in the regulation of crypto and digital systems.
First, the “Digital Asset Market Clarity Bill”, known as CLARITY, was passed by a vote (294 to 134). In order for the bill to become law, it must also pass the Senate and finally be submitted for the signature of US President Donald Trump.
The bill, known as GENIUS, was the first bill to pass the Senate last month and then came to the House of Representatives, where it was passed (308 to 122). Finally, the bill was submitted to President Donald Trump for his approval and signed into law.
The most difficult vote was on the Anti-CBDC Surveillance Bill. This bill, which was more controversial than CLARITY and GENIUS, was passed in the House of Representatives by a slim margin (219 to 210). It is now expected to be submitted to the Senate and then signed into law by Trump.
Although the process for the final legal validation of all of these developments is not yet complete, digital assets have seen noticeable increases. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $726 million on July 16 alone, with total net assets exceeding $10 billion. Bitcoin rose to the $120,000 band while Ethereum crossed $3,500.
CLARITY Act
The CLARITY Act aims to establish a clear legal framework on whether digital assets (e.g. cryptocurrencies and tokens) are securities or commodities.
Uncertainty over this classification is at the heart of long-running litigation between the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and crypto companies in the US. CLARITY aims to solve this problem by clarifying criteria such as the intended use of the digital asset, token structure and the level of decentralization of the network.
Classification Criteria: What Becomes What When?
Under the CLARITY law, digital assets can initially be classified as securities, but over time, if they reach a sufficient level of decentralization, they can be converted to commodities.
This transformation is evaluated based on factors such as the purpose of the asset, its issuance, its use and the status of the actors that have control over it.
In this context:
- The SEC will continue to oversee digital assets that are securities.
- The CFTC will have jurisdiction over digital assets that are commodities.
This clear distinction will both facilitate the compliance processes of projects and allow investors to make better risk assessments.
The End of SEC and CFTC Authority Conflicts
The root cause of many long-running lawsuits in the US has been the lack of a clear definition of which regulatory agency has jurisdiction over crypto assets.
High-profile cases such as SEC vs. Ripple and SEC vs. Coinbase were deadlocked on the question of whether tokens are securities or commodities.
With CLARITY, this gray area is being eliminated. This means:
- Speeding up court processes,
- Reduced regulatory risks,
- Companies can re-enter the US market with confidence.
Thus, the US has taken a strong step towards building a more predictable, fairer and more innovation-friendly ecosystem for digital assets.
GENIUS Act
The GENIUS Act is a comprehensive bill that aims to establish a supportive infrastructure for blockchain technology and next-generation digital financial systems in the US. The main goal of the law is to ensure that digital assets are integrated into economic growth and to ensure that the US does not fall behind in the global race for financial innovation.
Blockchain Development Infrastructure and Funds
The GENIUS Act provides for government-backed research funds, tax incentives and technology development grants to accelerate the development of blockchain-based projects.
Under the law,
- R&D funds are being created for blockchain startups.
- Government incentives for blockchain adaptation in strategic sectors are being introduced.
The goal is to make the US a technology hub that not only regulates but also produces and leads.
Global Competitiveness
GENIUS is making digital asset infrastructure a priority for the US to maintain its leadership in the global financial system.
- It facilitates access to international standards for US-based digital asset projects.
- It includes incentives to gain global market share in areas such as stablecoins, smart contracts and tokenization.
The US aims to be a standard-setter, not just a participant, in the digital economy.
Anti-CBDC Oversight Act
The Anti-CBDC Bill is a protection law created out of concern that central bank digital currencies (CBDC) in the US could threaten individuals’ financial freedom and privacy. In essence, it is a stand against centralized control of money rather than its digitalization.
Individual Freedoms
The law draws a clear line against the use of CBDCs by the state to monitor, limit or control the spending behavior of individuals.
This includes prohibits the Federal Reserve from creating digital wallets directly on behalf of individuals; makes it unconstitutional for any federal agency to conduct surveillance of individuals’ spending history, purchasing preferences, or wallet balance; and ensures that money remains anonymous and free to use.
thus, guaranteeing the protection of privacy and individual autonomy even in a digitalized financial system.
Limitation of the Federal Reserve’s Authority
The anti-CBDC bill prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing CBDCs on its own and offering them directly to the public.
Legislation.
- Specifies that any CBDC implementation can only be initiated with Congressional approval.
- It contains provisions that prevent the Fed from indirectly developing CBDC infrastructure, launching pilots, or scaling up through the private sector.
- It aims to prevent the creation of a surveillance economy in the name of “monetary policy”.
These provisions are intended to make it legally impossible for CBDCs to remain outside democratic control.
Creating Space for Alternative Digital Currency Initiatives
The anti-CBDC law aims to pave the way for private sector initiatives and support innovation, while limiting government development of digital currencies.
In this direction:
- Private initiatives such as stablecoins, tokenization, and digital asset-based payment systems are prevented from being suppressed by the threat of CBDC.
- The free circulation of cryptocurrencies as an alternative to mandatory CBDC is constitutionally guaranteed.
- It aims to prevent technology monopolization by preserving open competition in digital payment systems.
In other words, the law advocates for a more decentralized and market-oriented financial infrastructure against the state taking over the system with a centralized digital currency.
Conclusion: New Threshold in US Crypto Policy
“Crypto Week”, which took place on July 14-18, 2025, marked a historic turning point as the United States fundamentally reshaped its policies on digital assets and blockchain technologies. Eliminating regulatory uncertainty with CLARITY, paving the way for innovation with GENIUS, and protecting individual liberties with the Anti-CBDC law, the US is not only crypto-friendly, but also a country that aspires to lead in the digital age. These laws redefine not only the legal framework, but also the crypto vision of the US, its stance in the global financial arena and the individual-state relationship, and a new era for the crypto ecosystem has officially begun.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, investment, or financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments involve risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Readers should conduct their own research or consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Darkex or its affiliates.
