In a major milestone for the digital asset industry, Congress last week passed three significant bills regulating cryptocurrency, culminating in President Trump signing the GENIUS Act into law. This marks the first time the United States has enacted a federal law specifically focused on cryptocurrency and other blockchain-based assets. The rapid succession of legislative activity, now being called “Crypto Week” by lawmakers and analysts, signals a turning point in the legal and political status of digital assets in the U.S.

Crypto Week refers to a concentrated effort in Congress over five days to move a long-stalled regulatory conversation forward. Lawmakers passed the GENIUS Act, the CLARITY Act, and the DORA Act, together creating a foundation for how digital assets will be treated under federal law. For an industry that has operated for more than a decade in legal uncertainty, these developments represent a dramatic and historic shift.

The most notable feature of this legislative moment is the strong bipartisan support behind it. Two of the three bills passed with backing from both Republicans and Democrats, a rarity in the current polarized Congress. Lawmakers emphasized shared concerns over consumer protection, financial stability, and global competitiveness. In an era where consensus is hard to come by, cryptocurrency regulation became an unexpected point of agreement.

These victories also reflect the rising political influence of the crypto industry. In the 2024 election cycle, cryptocurrency firms and affiliated groups made substantial campaign contributions, concentrating their efforts on key Congressional races. The strategy appears to have worked. The industry now has allies on both sides of the aisle and growing credibility in Washington. Analysts say the success of Crypto Week is one of the clearest examples yet of an effective and well-organized lobbying campaign by the sector.

Equally significant is the shift in the industry’s own posture toward regulation. Until recently, many leading voices in crypto opposed government involvement altogether, favoring a decentralized, hands-off approach. That stance began to shift in recent years, especially after several high-profile failures and scandals damaged public trust. Industry leaders now argue that regulatory clarity is not only necessary but beneficial, offering legitimacy and stability to attract institutional investors and mainstream users.

Although digital assets represent a new technological frontier, the legislative framework crafted during Crypto Week is built on traditional regulatory models. The CLARITY Act outlines a plan to divide oversight of cryptocurrencies between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. This structure, which assigns jurisdiction based on the specific characteristics of each asset, has gained traction among regulators and stakeholders alike. It reflects a practical approach that attempts to balance innovation with accountability.

Proponents of the new laws say they also reflect a broader national priority to guide the development of emerging technologies in line with democratic values. Igor Volovich, Executive Director, Strategy at America First Technology Infrastructure & Innovation Initiative (America First Tech), emphasized this point, saying, “We believe America thrives when innovation reflects our values: openness, accountability, and opportunity for all.”

With the GENIUS Act now signed into law and the other bills expected to move into enforcement phases soon, the U.S. is preparing to enter a new chapter in digital finance. Federal agencies will begin creating detailed rules and compliance pathways, while crypto firms will need to adapt to this new regulatory environment. Legal clarity may also encourage U.S.-based development in blockchain and digital asset infrastructure, something advocates have long pushed for to counter the growing influence of international markets.

For an industry that only three years ago seemed on the brink of political and financial irrelevance, the events of Crypto Week represent a stunning reversal. The collapse of FTX had fueled skepticism that digital assets could be trusted or properly governed. Now, with a set of bipartisan laws and a seat at the policymaking table, crypto is being integrated into the broader financial system in ways that were once unthinkable.

As regulators, lawmakers, and firms prepare for implementation, the long-term impact of Crypto Week will unfold gradually. But one outcome is already clear: cryptocurrency is no longer operating outside the system. It is now part of it.