🚀 Crypto Regulation Heatwave: Key Updates & Shakeups (June 23-27, 2025)

Regulators hit the gas—or the brakes—on crypto this week. Here’s what matters.

DeFi in the Crosshairs

Global watchdogs tightened scrutiny on decentralized protocols, with the FSA proposing KYC rules for liquidity pools. Anonymous devs scoffed—then coded workarounds overnight.

Stablecoin Surprise

The EU’s MiCA framework triggered unexpected collateral requirements for algorithmic stablecoins. Traders pivoted to offshore options faster than a hedge fund dumps retail bags.

US Crackdown 2.0

The SEC labeled three altcoins as unregistered securities. Market barely blinked—proof the industry’s grown numb to regulatory saber-rattling (or just addicted to volatility).

The Bottom Line

Compliance costs keep rising, but innovation outpaces legislation. As always in crypto: adapt or get rekt. Meanwhile, traditional finance still can’t decide if we’re criminals or their next revenue stream.

Lummis: Two Crypto Bills Must Pass in 2025

Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), a longtime proponent of responsible crypto legislation, has renewed her call for decisive action in Congress.

Speaking with CNBC’s Joe Kernen on Squawk Box this week, Lummis emphasized the importance of passing both the GENIUS Act — focused on digital asset developments and user safety — and the much-anticipated crypto market structure bill.

Senator Cynthia Lummis spoke with CNBC on Wednesday about the importance of passing crypto legislation before the year's end.#CynthiaLummis #CryptoLegislationhttps://t.co/dhmb7SKv6J

“I’m not saying combine them, but they both need to pass this year,” Lummis asserted, stressing the urgent need for legal clarity around stablecoins. Her remarks come amid bipartisan deliberations over how to reconcile separate House and Senate proposals into a unified framework that can win cross-chamber support.

GOP Lays Groundwork for Crypto Market Rules

In a separate but closely related development, senior Senate Republicans unveiled a set of foundational principles for digital asset regulation.

Spearheaded by Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), the ranking member of the Senate Banking Committee, the new guidelines aim to establish regulatory clarity while protecting investors.

Senate GOP has laid out crypto market structure principles, clarifying regulation and oversight for digital assets.#CryptoRegulation #USSenatehttps://t.co/4hKf2Ktbim

“These principles will serve as an important baseline for negotiations on this bill,” said Scott, who was joined by Senators Thom Tillis, Bill Hagerty, and Cynthia Lummis in crafting the proposal.

The document marks one of the clearest signs yet that the Senate is ready to engage in meaningful dialogue with the House on comprehensive crypto legislation.

The GOP principles are expected to influence the upcoming round of congressional negotiations and could shape the next wave of policy that governs everything from token classifications to consumer protections and compliance requirements for stablecoin issuers.

COIN Act Targets Regulation of Politicians’ Crypto Profits

Meanwhile, the intersection of politics and crypto has triggered a legislative response of its own. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced the COIN Act (Curbing Officials’ Income and Nondisclosure), which WOULD ban presidents and their immediate families from issuing, sponsoring, or endorsing digital assets, including meme coins, NFTs, and stablecoins.

Senator @SenAdamSchiff has introduced legislation that would bar the president, vice president, and their family members from crypto.#Crypto #Trumphttps://t.co/9niXxDMAc0

The bill — clearly aimed at potential conflicts of interest — also mandates disclosure of any digital asset transactions exceeding $1,000. Violators could face up to five years in prison and civil penalties equivalent to the profits earned. Schiff’s legislation comes amid growing concerns over President Trump’s expanding involvement in the digital asset space.

Trump-Linked Crypto Firm Prepares Stablecoin Audit

Those concerns are far from hypothetical. World Liberty Financial (WLFI), a cryptocurrency firm tied to Donald Trump, is stepping up efforts to bolster credibility.

Co-founder Zak Folkman announced at the Permissionless conference in Brooklyn that the company is preparing to release a third-party audit of its stablecoin holdings, alongside a new mobile app launch.

Trump-linked crypto firm World Liberty Financial plans to release a stablecoin audit and debut a new app soon, co-founder Zak Folkman confirmed Wednesday.#Trump #WLFI https://t.co/yVPQqslR4F

The audit, conducted by an independent accounting firm, is intended to boost transparency as WLFI faces mounting political and regulatory scrutiny. Folkman also hinted at upcoming changes to WLFI’s governance token, suggesting that enhanced token liquidity may be on the horizon.

“I think everyone is going to be very, very happy,” he told the audience, stopping short of revealing concrete details.

Trump Media Moves Ahead with $400M Buyback

Rounding out the week’s Trump-crypto nexus, TRUMP Media & Technology Group Corp. — the parent company of Truth Social — announced a $400 million share buyback plan.

The buyback, approved by the board of directors, is positioned as a MOVE to return value to shareholders while retaining strategic flexibility.

@TrumpMediaTech has unveiled a $400M stock buyback and maintains a $2.3B bitcoin reserve. #TrumpMedia #Bitcoinhttps://t.co/oCc9eMHuSo

Also the company continues to guard a sizeable $2.3 billion Bitcoin treasury, showing the president’s growing entanglement with the digital asset world.

“The Board took a vote of confidence in our company, our stock, and our strategic plans,” said Devin Nunes, CEO of Trump Media.

Crypto Regulation To Face Crossroads Ahead

Taken together, these developments show a pivotal moment for U.S. crypto regulation. From legislative momentum in Congress to headline-making moves by politically connected crypto firms, the digital asset landscape is rapidly evolving.

While price action may grab the headlines, it’s the slow grind of regulatory clarity that will ultimately determine the shape and success of the U.S. crypto market.