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US Senate Removes AI Regulation Ban from Trump Tax Bill in Overwhelming Vote

The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate voted 99-1 on Tuesday to eliminate a 10-year federal moratorium that would have prevented states from regulating artificial intelligence. This amendment, offered by Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, was adopted during a lengthy “vote-a-rama” session on President Trump’s tax-cut and spending bill.

Only Senator Thom Tillis voted to keep the ban. The Senate later passed the broader tax legislation with a narrow 51-50 vote. The original bill sought to restrict states from accessing a $500 million fund for AI infrastructure if they imposed AI regulations.

Major AI companies like Google and OpenAI had supported the moratorium, arguing that a consistent federal approach would foster innovation without a patchwork of state rules. However, Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell opposed the ban, emphasizing the importance of state laws to protect consumers from risks like robocalls, deepfakes, and unsafe autonomous vehicles.

Seventeen Republican governors also called for abandoning the moratorium. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the Senate’s decision would enable states to protect children from unregulated AI harms.

Blackburn introduced the amendment shortly after withdrawing support for a compromise that would have shortened the ban to five years and allowed limited state regulation on matters such as child safety and artist protections. She stated that until Congress enacts comprehensive federal legislation, states must retain the right to protect their citizens.

US Senate Passes Bill to Regulate Stablecoins, Boosting Corporate Adoption Prospects

The U.S. Senate has approved the GENIUS Act, a bill establishing a regulatory framework for stablecoins, marking a significant milestone for the growing segment of cryptocurrency designed to maintain stable value, typically pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar. The bill’s passage is seen as a key step toward broader adoption of stablecoins by corporations worldwide.

Stablecoins facilitate crypto traders’ movement of funds between tokens, but clearer regulations have been lacking. The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, where its version must pass before heading to former President Donald Trump’s desk for signing.

If enacted, the law will require stablecoins to be fully backed by liquid assets—such as U.S. dollars and short-term Treasury bills—and mandate issuers to publicly disclose monthly reserve compositions. Analysts believe this regulatory clarity could unlock wider use by companies across multiple sectors.

Several major firms are already engaged or exploring stablecoin initiatives globally:

  • Major U.S. Banks:
    Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan has indicated possible stablecoin launches. Morgan Stanley seeks to work with regulators on crypto-related transaction roles. Both remain cautious, focusing on pilot programs or partnerships.

  • Societe Generale (France):
    Plans to issue a publicly tradable, dollar-backed stablecoin via its digital asset subsidiary.

  • Retail Giants Walmart and Amazon:
    Reports suggest recent exploration of stablecoin issuance, though Walmart denies current plans and Amazon has not commented.

  • Banco Santander (Spain):
    Considering digital asset expansion including early-stage stablecoin projects.

  • Crypto and Fintech Firms:
    World Liberty Financial launched a dollar-pegged stablecoin USD1 this year. PayPal released a U.S. dollar stablecoin in August 2023. Circle Internet’s USDC and Paxos’ stablecoins are among the largest. Tether’s USDT remains the largest by market cap, followed by MakerDAO’s DAI.

The GENIUS Act’s passage signals increasing regulatory acceptance of stablecoins, potentially accelerating their integration into mainstream corporate finance and payment systems.

US Senate Passes Stablecoin Bill in Milestone for Crypto Industry

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved the GENIUS Act, a bipartisan bill establishing the first federal regulatory framework for stablecoins—cryptocurrency tokens pegged to the U.S. dollar. The bill passed with a vote of 68-30, marking a significant step toward formal oversight of a rapidly growing sector in digital finance.

Stablecoins, which maintain a steady value typically linked 1:1 to the dollar, are widely used by crypto traders for quick transfers between tokens and are increasingly considered for instant payments. If signed into law, the legislation would require stablecoin issuers to back tokens with liquid assets like cash or short-term Treasury bills and publicly disclose reserve compositions monthly.

The crypto industry has advocated for clear regulation, believing it could boost adoption and investor confidence. However, concerns remain among some Democrats and financial watchdogs that the bill could enable big tech firms to issue private stablecoins without sufficient anti-money laundering safeguards or protections against foreign issuers.

The bill now moves to the Republican-controlled House, which must pass its own version before it can be signed by President Donald Trump. Trump’s White House advisers have emphasized a desire to enact stablecoin rules by August.

Critics have also highlighted potential conflicts of interest related to Trump’s own crypto ventures, including a meme coin and a crypto company partly owned by him, though the White House maintains that his assets are held in a trust.

The Conference of State Bank Supervisors has called for amendments to prevent expanding the authority of uninsured banks without state oversight.

Despite these debates, legal experts hail the Senate’s approval as a landmark moment in regulating a fast-evolving financial technology.