Matt Hougan: This is what the future of payments will look like if the US regulates stablecoins with the GENIUS Act.

Matt Hougan: This is what the future of payments will look like if the US regulates stablecoins with the GENIUS Act.

Matt Hougan, CIO of Bitwise, analyzedó How the upcoming US regulation, through the GENIUS Act, will transform the stablecoin market, driving a revolution in digital payments with greater security, speed, and mass adoption by banks and large companies.

The convergence of financial technology and regulation is poised to revolutionize the US payments system. Matt Hougan, Bitwise's chief investment officer and crypto asset expert, highlighted the crucial role that stablecoins, cryptocurrencies backed by stable assets like the dollar, will play in this transformation. 

With the imminent approval of the GENIUS Act bill, which will establish a clear and rigorous regulatory framework for these digital currencies and is currently being debated in the Senate, a unprecedented integration of stablecoins into the real economyAccording to Hougan, this legislation will allow traditional banks and large corporations to issue their own stablecoins, accelerating mass adoption and facilitating faster, more secure, and more transparent payments. 

In this context, Hougan predicts explosive market growth, which could reach $2,5 trillion, and a profound change in the way consumers and businesses conduct daily transactions.

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GENIUS Act: A new framework for trust and regulation

The GENIUS Act, currently seeking Senate approval, marks a milestone in stablecoin regulation in the United States. This legislation mandates that stablecoins must be backed 1:1 by liquid assets, primarily U.S. Treasury bonds, ensuring their stability and reducing potential risks of insolvency or volatility. It also requires issuers to register with federal banking regulators, undergo regular audits, and comply with strict anti-money laundering and suspicious transaction freezing regulations.

Matt Hougan underlines This regulation provides the transparency and security necessary for both consumers and institutional investors to fully trust stablecoins. The law also opens the door for large banks like JPMorgan and Bank of America to issue their own stablecoins under a solid regulatory framework, thus integrating these digital assets into the traditional financial system. This step is critical for stablecoins to cease being a marginal product and become reliable and widely accepted financial instruments, driving a profound modernization of digital payments.

The explosion of the stablecoin market and its corporate adoption

The stablecoin market has experienced rapid growth in recent years, going from a novelty to a central pillar of the crypto ecosystem. Currently, Capitalization exceeds $250.000 billion dollars, and with the passage of the GENIUS Act, Matt Hougan estimates it could scale to $2,5 trillion in a short time. This growth is due to the essential role that stablecoins play as bridge between traditional fiat money and digital assets, offering stability and speed in transactions.

Global capitalization of stablecoins today.
Global capitalization of stablecoins today.
Source: CoinMarketCap

Global companies, including e-commerce giants like Amazon, could explore ways to incentivize commerce through the use of stablecoins, Hougan noted, which could popularize their everyday use. Furthermore, banks and fintechs are already preparing to introduce their own stablecoins to the world, reflecting growing confidence in this new form of money. 

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The regulatory clarity provided by the GENIUS Act is key to accelerating this adoption, as it provides a safe and transparent environment for issuers and users, facilitating the integration of stablecoins into retail payments, international remittances, decentralized finance (DeFi), and more. 

Traditional banks in the era of stablecoins

One of Matt Hougan's most prominent visions is the mass adoption of stablecoins by traditional banks like JPMorgan and Bank of America. These financial giants are poised to issue their own regulated stablecoins, representing a definitive bridge between the conventional financial system and the digital asset universe. For example, Bank of America has announced its intention to launch a dollar-backed stablecoin, which would function similarly to a money market fund but with blockchain technology, offering speed and security in transactions.

This integration will allow banks to compete and collaborate in an innovative digital environment, optimizing financial services such as transfers and loans, and reducing operating costs. However, Hougan also recognizes challenges, such as cultural resistance and the need to adapt traditional processes to this new reality. Despite this, the trend points to progressive and widespread adoption, which will legitimize the role of stablecoins and foster a more efficient, inclusive, and modern financial system.

Stablecoins in everyday life: Towards a revolution in digital payments

The mass adoption of stablecoins promises to transform the everyday payment experience for consumers and merchants. Thanks to their ability to perform immediate, secure and low-cost transactionsThese digital currencies overcome the limitations of traditional methods. Matt Hougan envisions a near future where platforms like Amazon incentivize the use of stablecoins with discounts, making their use as common and easy as today's digital payment apps.

In addition, the regulations established by the GENIUS Act will promote financial inclusion by facilitating access to digital services for the unbanked. 24 / 7 availability and transparency total The advantages of stablecoins make them an ideal option for international remittances and business-to-business payments. This technological evolution will drive the development of digital wallets, integrated point-of-sale systems, and complementary platforms, transforming stablecoins from a niche product into an essential component of the global financial system.

In conclusion, the passage of the GENIUS Act represents a turning point for the future of digital payments in the United States. According to Matt Hougan, this regulation, along with institutional adoption and technological advancements, will drive exponential growth in the stablecoin market, consolidating its position as a fundamental pillar in the global financial ecosystem. 

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Investing in cryptoassets is not fully regulated, may not be suitable for retail investors due to high volatility and there is a risk of losing all invested amounts.