US Government Puts Stamp of Approval on Key Digital Asset in Historic First Move

SEC Chair confirms first-ever U.S. government stamp of approval on a key digital asset, signaling a breakthrough moment for blockchain adoption in mainstream financial infrastructure.

SEC Chair Confirms Historic Pivot: Stablecoins Now Core to US Financial Future

A pivotal shift in U.S. regulatory posture is underway as stablecoins gain unprecedented government recognition, signaling potential upgrades in how financial assets and payments are exchanged. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins stated in a July 21 interview with CNBC that the U.S. government has formally acknowledged a digital asset’s role in the financial system, stating:

For the first time, the United States government has put its stamp of approval on a very key and important, potentially very important digital asset that will, I think, help to lower costs, lower risks in the market.

“Because we can now move towards instantaneous, almost, settlements of payment versus delivery for securities, thanks to on-chain stablecoins. And that will help, I think, innovation and to really get our markets, you know, to be the best in the world,” the SEC chairman added.

His comments followed the signing of the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act into law. Signed by President Donald Trump on July 18, 2025, the legislation establishes the first comprehensive federal framework for regulating payment stablecoins. The law seeks to provide regulatory clarity, strengthen consumer protections, and support innovation in the expanding stablecoin market.

In the same interview, Atkins offered informal clarity on the regulatory status of major cryptocurrencies. “Similar to bitcoin, I mean the SEC has stated informally more than formally that ether is not a security,” he said. While he emphasized that the SEC does not tell companies how to allocate capital, he noted Ethereum’s foundational role:

It’s obviously the ETH blockchain is a very key component for a lot of other digital currencies … It’s encouraging that these sorts of digital assets are being embraced by the marketplace.

Though the SEC has yet to issue formal rulings on these assets, Atkins’ remarks point to a softening stance toward their use in financial infrastructure. Industry advocates view this as a sign that stablecoins—and platforms powered by bitcoin and ethereum—are being increasingly recognized as structural components of modern markets.