GENIUS Act Drives Major Shift Toward Stablecoin Payment Utility in 2025
Imagine a world where your everyday payments zip across borders instantly, without the hefty fees or delays that plague traditional banking. That’s the exciting promise emerging from recent regulatory moves, and the GENIUS Act is at the heart of it all. As of August 28, 2025, this groundbreaking legislation is reshaping how stablecoins operate, pushing them firmly into the realm of practical payment tools rather than just yield-chasing investments. With Bitcoin hovering at $120,450 (up 1.2%), Ethereum at $3,850 (up 0.8%), and other majors like XRP at $3.10 (up 2.5%), BNB at $780 (up 0.7%), Solana at $170 (up 2.8%), Dogecoin at $0.210 (up 3.0%), Cardano at $0.740 (up 2.9%), stETH at $3,845 (up 0.75%), Tron at $0.340 (up 0.65%), Avalanche at $23.50 (up 1.8%), Sui at $3.50 (up 2.2%), and Toncoin at $3.30 (up 5.5%), the crypto market is buzzing with optimism. This shift isn’t just regulatory fine-tuning—it’s a catalyst for real innovation that’s drawing in big players and everyday users alike.
GENIUS Act Poised to Ignite Wave of Innovative Apps and Payment Solutions
Picture stablecoins evolving from static digital dollars into dynamic tools that power everything from quick coffee buys to global business deals. That’s the vision shared by experts like Fabian Dori from Sygnum, who highlights how the GENIUS Act is aligning the U.S. with international standards. Introduced with recent amendments on July 27, 2025, the act draws a sharp line between stablecoins that offer interest or yields and those designed purely for payments. Dori explains that this move mirrors the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, fostering a much-needed global harmony in stablecoin rules. It’s like finally syncing up different time zones in a worldwide conversation—everyone’s on the same page, reducing confusion and boosting confidence.
But the true magic lies in what comes next. Dori points out that this clarity isn’t just about ticking regulatory boxes; it’s fuel for creativity. Organizations and issuers now have the green light to build groundbreaking “killer apps” that go beyond meeting existing needs—they’re creating entirely new demands, especially in payments. Think of it as the smartphone revolution: we didn’t know we needed apps for everything until they arrived. Already, heavyweights like Mastercard and PayPal are setting the stage for compliant stablecoin integrations, while retail giants such as Amazon and Walmart are dipping toes into payroll and cross-border settlements. This isn’t speculation; it’s backed by real momentum, with tokenized money market funds stepping in as the go-to for yield seekers. These funds maintain stable values with daily liquidity, currently offering 4-5% returns on U.S. Treasury-backed options, clearly separating investment from everyday utility. For instance, recent launches by firms like Goldman Sachs and BNY Mellon underscore this trend, providing evidence that the market is adapting swiftly.
In the spirit of brand alignment, this regulatory evolution is encouraging stablecoin projects to refine their identities, ensuring they resonate with user values like speed, security, and simplicity. It’s about building trust through consistent messaging that highlights real-world benefits, much like how a well-crafted brand story turns casual users into loyal advocates.
Stablecoin Providers Embrace Utility Over Yields
As the GENIUS Act clamps down on interest-bearing stablecoins, the focus is sharpening on what makes these digital assets truly shine: lightning-fast settlements, rock-bottom fees, and programmable features that slot seamlessly into payment and trading ecosystems. It’s a bit like choosing a reliable car for daily commutes over a flashy sports model that’s all about speed but guzzles gas—utility wins the race in the long run. Jason Lau from OKX echoes this, noting that in a crowded field, innovation around practical models will be key to capturing users. He sees stablecoin efficiencies driving adoption in everyday commerce, with endorsements from payment leaders like PayPal and Stripe marking the start of something big.
This pivot isn’t new; it’s been brewing, as Aishwary Gupta from Polygon Labs observes. Even before the act’s passage, payment-centric stablecoin activity was surging. On Polygon, micropayment volumes jumped 67% from February to June 2025, hitting $110 million, proving that these tools address genuine pain points like cross-border transfers and routine shopping. Gupta emphasizes that while rules help, it’s the market demand for immediate, problem-solving utility that truly propels growth. Compare this to traditional banking, where transfers can take days and cost a fortune—stablecoins are the agile alternative, slicing through bureaucracy like a hot knife through butter.
Recent online buzz amplifies this narrative. Frequently searched Google queries as of August 2025 include “How do stablecoins work for payments?” and “Best stablecoins for cross-border transfers,” reflecting user curiosity about practical applications. On Twitter, discussions are heating up around #StablecoinPayments and #GENIUSAct, with posts from influencers highlighting real-time use cases. For example, a recent tweet from a fintech analyst on August 25, 2025, stated: “GENIUS Act is game-changing—expect a boom in stablecoin payroll solutions! #CryptoAdoption.” Official announcements, like Nigeria’s regulatory nod to stablecoin firms in mid-2025, add to the momentum, opening doors for compliant operations. Analysts also note that the act’s yield ban could funnel demand into Ethereum’s DeFi ecosystem, where protocols are innovating with synthetic yields and governance tokens.
Retail Users Hold the Key to Widespread Adoption
Yet, for all this progress, the real game-changer is getting everyday people on board. It’s not the tech wizards or fintech startups that will tip the scales, but regular consumers embracing stablecoins for their simplicity. Dori stresses that intuitive platforms will dictate how quickly this integrates into daily life, much like how user-friendly apps turned ride-sharing into a habit. Gupta agrees, pointing to Polygon’s push for infrastructure that handles everything from tiny transaction fees to high-volume enterprise needs—over 100,000 transactions per second. They’re partnering with a company reaching 185 million phones in Africa for B2B cross-border payments, and with enterprises boasting 7-8 million wallets set to launch. Small payment volumes on Polygon skyrocketed 190% to over $563 million from February to June 2025, a clear sign of accelerating trends.
Lau adds that DeFi could reap huge rewards from this regulatory certainty, as stablecoins already underpin massive onchain activity. While some eyes are on yields and tokens, the real draw is unique, compelling use cases that pull in demand. Passed in July 2025 with over 300 House votes, including 102 from Democrats, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act marks the first federal blueprint for stablecoins, setting the stage for a Bitcoin-versus-stablecoins dynamic in payments.
In this evolving landscape, platforms like WEEX exchange stand out as a reliable partner for users navigating stablecoin opportunities. With its focus on secure, efficient trading and a user-centric approach that aligns perfectly with the utility-driven shift, WEEX enhances credibility by offering seamless access to stablecoin pairs and innovative tools. It’s like having a trusted guide in the crypto wilderness, empowering both new and seasoned traders to capitalize on these changes with confidence and ease.
As the GENIUS Act continues to unfold, it’s clear we’re on the cusp of a payments revolution, where stablecoins aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving by solving real problems in clever ways.
FAQ
What is the GENIUS Act and how does it affect stablecoins?
The GENIUS Act is a 2025 U.S. law that regulates stablecoins by separating those used for payments from ones that offer yields. It promotes utility-focused stablecoins, encouraging innovations in everyday transactions while aligning with global standards like the EU’s MiCA.
Why are stablecoins shifting from yields to payment utility?
The act restricts interest-bearing models to avoid blurring lines between investments and payments. This pushes issuers toward features like fast settlements and low costs, meeting real market needs for efficient cross-border and daily commerce, as seen in rising volumes on platforms like Polygon.
How can retail users benefit from this stablecoin evolution?
Retail adoption is key, with user-friendly apps making stablecoins accessible for things like micropayments or payroll. Benefits include lower fees, instant transfers, and integration into daily life, potentially transforming how we handle money much like smartphones changed communication.
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Debunking the AI Doomsday Myth: Why Establishment Inertia and the Software Wasteland Will Save Us
Editor's Note: Citrini7's cyberpunk-themed AI doomsday prophecy has sparked widespread discussion across the internet. However, this article presents a more pragmatic counter perspective. If Citrini envisions a digital tsunami instantly engulfing civilization, this author sees the resilient resistance of the human bureaucratic system, the profoundly flawed existing software ecosystem, and the long-overlooked cornerstone of heavy industry. This is a frontal clash between Silicon Valley fantasy and the iron law of reality, reminding us that the singularity may come, but it will never happen overnight.
The following is the original content:
Renowned market commentator Citrini7 recently published a captivating and widely circulated AI doomsday novel. While he acknowledges that the probability of some scenes occurring is extremely low, as someone who has witnessed multiple economic collapse prophecies, I want to challenge his views and present a more deterministic and optimistic future.
In 2007, people thought that against the backdrop of "peak oil," the United States' geopolitical status had come to an end; in 2008, they believed the dollar system was on the brink of collapse; in 2014, everyone thought AMD and NVIDIA were done for. Then ChatGPT emerged, and people thought Google was toast... Yet every time, existing institutions with deep-rooted inertia have proven to be far more resilient than onlookers imagined.
When Citrini talks about the fear of institutional turnover and rapid workforce displacement, he writes, "Even in fields we think rely on interpersonal relationships, cracks are showing. Take the real estate industry, where buyers have tolerated 5%-6% commissions for decades due to the information asymmetry between brokers and consumers..."
Seeing this, I couldn't help but chuckle. People have been proclaiming the "death of real estate agents" for 20 years now! This hardly requires any superintelligence; with Zillow, Redfin, or Opendoor, it's enough. But this example precisely proves the opposite of Citrini's view: although this workforce has long been deemed obsolete in the eyes of most, due to market inertia and regulatory capture, real estate agents' vitality is more tenacious than anyone's expectations a decade ago.
A few months ago, I just bought a house. The transaction process mandated that we hire a real estate agent, with lofty justifications. My buyer's agent made about $50,000 in this transaction, while his actual work — filling out forms and coordinating between multiple parties — amounted to no more than 10 hours, something I could have easily handled myself. The market will eventually move towards efficiency, providing fair pricing for labor, but this will be a long process.
I deeply understand the ways of inertia and change management: I once founded and sold a company whose core business was driving insurance brokerages from "manual service" to "software-driven." The iron rule I learned is: human societies in the real world are extremely complex, and things always take longer than you imagine — even when you account for this rule. This doesn't mean that the world won't undergo drastic changes, but rather that change will be more gradual, allowing us time to respond and adapt.
Recently, the software sector has seen a downturn as investors worry about the lack of moats in the backend systems of companies like Monday, Salesforce, Asana, making them easily replicable. Citrini and others believe that AI programming heralds the end of SaaS companies: one, products become homogenized, with zero profits, and two, jobs disappear.
But everyone overlooks one thing: the current state of these software products is simply terrible.
I'm qualified to say this because I've spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on Salesforce and Monday. Indeed, AI can enable competitors to replicate these products, but more importantly, AI can enable competitors to build better products. Stock price declines are not surprising: an industry relying on long-term lock-ins, lacking competitiveness, and filled with low-quality legacy incumbents is finally facing competition again.
From a broader perspective, almost all existing software is garbage, which is an undeniable fact. Every tool I've paid for is riddled with bugs; some software is so bad that I can't even pay for it (I've been unable to use Citibank's online transfer for the past three years); most web apps can't even get mobile and desktop responsiveness right; not a single product can fully deliver what you want. Silicon Valley darlings like Stripe and Linear only garner massive followings because they are not as disgustingly unusable as their competitors. If you ask a seasoned engineer, "Show me a truly perfect piece of software," all you'll get is prolonged silence and blank stares.
Here lies a profound truth: even as we approach a "software singularity," the human demand for software labor is nearly infinite. It's well known that the final few percentage points of perfection often require the most work. By this standard, almost every software product has at least a 100x improvement in complexity and features before reaching demand saturation.
I believe that most commentators who claim that the software industry is on the brink of extinction lack an intuitive understanding of software development. The software industry has been around for 50 years, and despite tremendous progress, it is always in a state of "not enough." As a programmer in 2020, my productivity matches that of hundreds of people in 1970, which is incredibly impressive leverage. However, there is still significant room for improvement. People underestimate the "Jevons Paradox": Efficiency improvements often lead to explosive growth in overall demand.
This does not mean that software engineering is an invincible job, but the industry's ability to absorb labor and its inertia far exceed imagination. The saturation process will be very slow, giving us enough time to adapt.
Of course, labor reallocation is inevitable, such as in the driving sector. As Citrini pointed out, many white-collar jobs will experience disruptions. For positions like real estate brokers that have long lost tangible value and rely solely on momentum for income, AI may be the final straw.
But our lifesaver lies in the fact that the United States has almost infinite potential and demand for reindustrialization. You may have heard of "reshoring," but it goes far beyond that. We have essentially lost the ability to manufacture the core building blocks of modern life: batteries, motors, small-scale semiconductors—the entire electricity supply chain is almost entirely dependent on overseas sources. What if there is a military conflict? What's even worse, did you know that China produces 90% of the world's synthetic ammonia? Once the supply is cut off, we can't even produce fertilizer and will face famine.
As long as you look to the physical world, you will find endless job opportunities that will benefit the country, create employment, and build essential infrastructure, all of which can receive bipartisan political support.
We have seen the economic and political winds shifting in this direction—discussions on reshoring, deep tech, and "American vitality." My prediction is that when AI impacts the white-collar sector, the path of least political resistance will be to fund large-scale reindustrialization, absorbing labor through a "giant employment project." Fortunately, the physical world does not have a "singularity"; it is constrained by friction.
We will rebuild bridges and roads. People will find that seeing tangible labor results is more fulfilling than spinning in the digital abstract world. The Salesforce senior product manager who lost a $180,000 salary may find a new job at the "California Seawater Desalination Plant" to end the 25-year drought. These facilities not only need to be built but also pursued with excellence and require long-term maintenance. As long as we are willing, the "Jevons Paradox" also applies to the physical world.
The goal of large-scale industrial engineering is abundance. The United States will once again achieve self-sufficiency, enabling large-scale, low-cost production. Moving beyond material scarcity is crucial: in the long run, if we do indeed lose a significant portion of white-collar jobs to AI, we must be able to maintain a high quality of life for the public. And as AI drives profit margins to zero, consumer goods will become extremely affordable, automatically fulfilling this objective.
My view is that different sectors of the economy will "take off" at different speeds, and the transformation in almost all areas will be slower than Citrini anticipates. To be clear, I am extremely bullish on AI and foresee a day when my own labor will be obsolete. But this will take time, and time gives us the opportunity to devise sound strategies.
At this point, preventing the kind of market collapse Citrini imagines is actually not difficult. The U.S. government's performance during the pandemic has demonstrated its proactive and decisive crisis response. If necessary, massive stimulus policies will quickly intervene. Although I am somewhat displeased by its inefficiency, that is not the focus. The focus is on safeguarding material prosperity in people's lives—a universal well-being that gives legitimacy to a nation and upholds the social contract, rather than stubbornly adhering to past accounting metrics or economic dogma.
If we can maintain sharpness and responsiveness in this slow but sure technological transformation, we will eventually emerge unscathed.
Source: Original Post Link

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