U.S. Lawmakers Rush Crypto Reforms as Bitcoin Shatters All-Time Highs

Washington scrambles to keep up with Bitcoin's bull run—legislation lags, markets surge.

Regulatory Whiplash

Politicians dust off old crypto bills as BTC defies gravity. 'Bipartisan consensus' now means everyone suddenly wants a piece of the action.

Wall Street's FOMO Moment

Bankers who called it a scam in 2022 now lobby for ETF approvals. Funny how 300% gains change minds.

The Closing Irony

D.C. moves at blockchain speed—which is to say, glacial—while traders mint generational wealth in meme coins. Some things never change.

In brief

• Bitcoin reaches a record high of $118,000, driven by anticipation of major regulatory reforms in the United States.
• Investors are betting on a decisive “Crypto Week” in Congress, with several bills under discussion, including the Genius Act on stablecoins.
• The crypto market is responding positively, with broad gains among altcoins and crypto-linked stocks on Wall Street.
• Analysts welcome political signals but warn of potential short-term market overheating.

Bitcoin at the summit, boosted by regulatory hope

Bitcoin reached a new all-time high this Friday, July 11, driven by hope for a major regulatory breakthrough in the United States. The leading crypto jumped 3.3 % to $118,000, marking a rise of over 41% in the last three months and 26 % since the beginning of the year.

This momentum has pulled the entire crypto market along, triggering renewed enthusiasm for other assets.

Here are the key facts to remember :

• Bitcoin : new record at $118,000, +41 % over 3 months ;
• Altcoins : Ether +5.13 %, XRP +9.7 %, Solana +0.8 % ;
• Total crypto market capitalization : about $3.67 trillion, according to CoinMarketCap data ;
• Strong demand for crypto spot ETFs, fueling inflows.

Jag Kooner, head of derivatives products at Bitfinex, points out that: “Even if the final vote is delayed, the mere fact that Congress is seriously engaging is a bullish signal”.

For many market participants, this anticipation of reforms is a fundamental factor in the current rise. The sector finally envisions a possible legal clarification in the United States, a wait that has lasted several years.

The “Crypto Week” in Washington : Between Regulatory Breakthrough and Ethical Concerns

The rise of Bitcoin is not explained solely by market enthusiasm. It coincides with a political turning point. Starting Monday, U.S. lawmakers will begin discussions on three bills: the Genius Act, the Clarity Act, and the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act.

The Genius Act, already supported by members of both parties in the Senate, aims to regulate stablecoins: these tokens must be backed by liquid assets (dollars, Treasury bonds), and issuers will need to publish the composition of their reserves monthly.

This bill is supported by Donald Trump, who promised to sign it if adopted by the House. “Investors are positioning themselves ahead of the media attention this event will attract,” says Dan Coatsworth, analyst at AJ Bell.

The Clarity Act seeks to clearly define the legal statuses of cryptos, notably the distinction between commodities and securities. It WOULD extend the role of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), a longtime advocate in the industry that rejects the stricter approach of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The goal is to open the market to more institutional players while eliminating costly legal uncertainty for exchanges. However, while professionals welcome this progress, criticisms are mounting. Some analysts warn against irrational exuberance. “It’s hard not to be optimistic, but a sharp pullback remains possible,” warns Simon Peters, crypto analyst at eToro.

The regulatory acceleration in the United States comes at a critical time for the crypto ecosystem. If realized, it could redefine the sector’s legal framework, reassure institutional investors, and firmly establish stablecoins in the real economy. This march toward normalization is not without risks, notably speculative overheating or regulation shaped to benefit private interests.

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