Last month, while watching the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking hearing, I noticed something: the regulatory direction for American coins is truly changing. For a long time, it’s been moving from a strict enforcement posture toward structural integration. From what becomes apparent in the testimony by officials from the Federal Reserve (FRB) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), it’s clear that crypto assets are no longer just peripheral issues—they’ve become central topics in the financial system.

What to focus on here is the momentum behind the GENIUS Act. The OCC recently released a 376-page proposal, and discussions are centered on regulating the yield of stablecoins. Banks are concerned that “if stablecoins offer high yields, deposit outflows could occur.” But lawmakers who lean more toward crypto assets point out that “in practice, such large-scale capital movements aren’t actually happening.” In other words, in the U.S. coin market, how stablecoins are handled could significantly change the options available to retail users.

Another important development is the CLARITY bill. If it passes, it will establish clear rules for exchanges and wallet providers. That means the risk of sudden operational shutdowns caused by uncertainty in current regulations should be reduced. Some committee members are calling for the “democratization of digital assets,” aiming to create an environment where people residing in the U.S. can access crypto assets without fear of enforcement actions. This could be a crucial turning point for the growth of the American coin industry.

Bank license applications are also a key point. If crypto-native companies can obtain official banking charters, that would pave the way for the first full-fledged “crypto-asset–prioritized” banks. While there are benefits in making the transition between fiat currencies and digital assets smoother, strict standards—such as a $5 million minimum capital requirement for stablecoin issuers—could also pressure startups and potentially give existing players an advantage.

Honestly, the 2026 regulatory environment for American coins means “the end of the era of ambiguity.” Over the next 12–18 months, many proposals are expected to reach final decisions, so users should be able to anticipate a more structured and predictable environment. Compared with short-term price fluctuations, these kinds of long-term policy groundwork changes are more likely to act as a green light that leads to large capital inflows from institutional investors.