U.S. crypto policy is undergoing a fundamental shift. Under President Donald Trump, federal regulators are no longer treating cryptocurrency as a disruptive threat.
Instead, Washington is moving to fold digital assets into the core of the U.S. financial system, marking one of the most significant policy pivots crypto has seen.
What Happened
Washington Moves From Resistance to Integration
The Trump administration has adopted a new approach to crypto oversight. Rather than blocking adoption or relying on courtroom battles, regulators are aligning crypto with existing financial rules.
The strategy focuses on structure and supervision. Crypto is expected to operate within the same frameworks that govern banks, brokers, and payment networks.
SEC Replaces Lawsuits With Rulemaking
The Securities and Exchange Commission has changed direction following leadership changes. Previously, the agency leaned heavily on enforcement actions against major crypto companies.
In 2025, the SEC introduced Project Crypto, an initiative aimed at clearly defining which digital assets qualify as securities. The move reduces ambiguity and gives firms clearer compliance standards.
This shift signals a move away from regulation by lawsuit toward formal rulemaking.
CFTC Treats Crypto as Financial Infrastructure
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has expanded crypto’s institutional role. It reaffirmed Bitcoin and Ethereum as commodities under U.S. law.
The agency also approved BTC, ETH, and USDC for use as collateral in derivatives markets. These assets now face traditional risk controls, such as haircuts, similar to conventional collateral.
This recognition positions crypto as usable financial infrastructure rather than speculative instruments.
OCC Opens the Federal Banking System
One of the most structural changes came from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. For years, crypto firms were forced to navigate state-by-state licensing.
In late 2025, the OCC conditionally approved national trust bank charters for firms including Circle and Ripple. This allows nationwide operations under federal oversight and enables direct settlement without intermediary banks.
Stablecoins Gain Long-Awaited Legal Status
Congress added clarity through the GENIUS Act, which established strict rules for stablecoin issuers.
The law requires full reserve backing, bans rehypothecation, and places issuers under federal supervision. Stablecoins now function as regulated digital dollars rather than legal gray-zone assets.
Why It Matters
Crypto Enters the Financial Core
The U.S. is not banning crypto, nor is it letting the sector operate unchecked. Instead, it is absorbing digital assets into the financial system.
Policy debates remain, especially around privacy-focused tools. Still, these discussions reflect oversight, not hostility.
Bitcoin Adoption Proves Durable
Bitcoin’s 2025 performance reflects this policy shift. BTC rallied above $109,000 early in the year on regulatory optimism before pulling back during macro-driven volatility.
Despite the correction, adoption continued through state-level reserves and corporate Bitcoin treasuries. After the Federal Reserve cut rates in September, Bitcoin surged to a new high near $125,800 in October.
Conclusion
U.S. crypto policy under the Trump administration represents a structural reset. Clearer rules, federal oversight, and institutional access are reshaping how crypto fits into global finance.
The direction is now clear. Crypto is no longer operating on the margins. It is being built into the system.
